Summary of Assignment
| Item | Description |
| Nature of Assignment | Short-term consultancy |
| Duration | Up to 40 working days |
| Reporting To | Executive Director/ Project Coordinator |
| Date of Advertisement | 9th March 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 23rd March 2026 |
- Background
The East African Business Council (EABC), in collaboration with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), and in partnership with AGRA, is implementing the project: “Promoting Intra-EAC Agri-Food Cross-Border Trade by Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to Trade.”
Project Objectives:
Enhance participation of women- and youth-led agri-food traders
Increase the volume and value of cross-border trade in priority agricultural value chains, including maize, maize flour, rice, beans, soybeans, and horticultural products
Targeted Cross-Border Corridors (10):
Taveta/Holili, Busia, Nimule/Elegu, Serari, Kibirizi/Kigoma, Mutukula/Kagera, Tunduma/Mbeya, Namanga, Katuna/Gatuna, and Kobero/Kabanga
Baseline Survey Findings:
Only 112 of 391 respondents (29%) had access to reliable market information.
To address this, the project introduced a WhatsApp-based B2B Cross-Border Traders’ Platform, accessible by texting Hi to WhatsApp No: +255 764 520 168
EABC now seeks a qualified firm to develop an Integrated Cross-Border Trade Platform with a WhatsApp Notification Gateway by improving the existing platform’s functionalities and establishing a complementary web/mobile platform for cross-border traders in cereals and horticulture.
- OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
2.1 Main Objective
To improve the functionalities, backend management, and performance of the existing WhatsApp-based B2B platform and establish a complementary web/mobile platform to better support cross-border traders in cereals and horticulture.
2.2 Specific Objectives
The improved platform should:
Provide real-time agri-food trade information and market intelligence
Monitor and generate user analytics and platform usage statistics
Enable automated message alerts to notify buyers and sellers of trade opportunities
Onboard and verify credible buyers and aggregators
Facilitate at least six (6) B2B matchmaking initiatives among traders from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, focusing on value chains with comparative advantage (e.g., Tanzania – rice and onions; Kenya – beans; Uganda – bananas)
Regularly update information materials on the platform
Enable buyer search and registration, including:
Buyer registration
Search for buyers across EAC Partner States
Direct buyer–seller connection via contact information
Provide comprehensive EAC Simplified Trade Regime (STR) information:
Step-by-step guides for goods valued under USD 2,000
Lists of eligible products
Video and audio guides
Guidance on inspection, verification, health, and phytosanitary procedures
Enable whistleblowing, complaints, and NTB reporting:
Structured complaint-handling mechanism
Ability for EABC/TCCIA to provide guidance and feedback
Provide emergency contacts for border-related trade incidents
Include feedback and FAQs functionality
Provide a directory of logistics, transport, and clearing services
Enable information sharing and forwarding via WhatsApp
Explore transaction enablement, including mobile money payments (subject to feasibility)
Support multi-language functionality: English, Kiswahili, French, and Arabic
Provide user training and a maintenance plan
- SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant/firm will be responsible for:
Reviewing the existing WhatsApp B2B platform
Designing and implementing improved frontend and backend functionalities following the hybrid architecture
Integrating WhatsApp Business API and backend databases
Enhancing user experience, analytics, and reporting
Supporting onboarding of buyers and traders
Facilitating B2B matchmaking via the WhatsApp B2B platform and web/mobile portal
Providing training, documentation, and maintenance support
- DELIVERABLES
A fully functional hybrid platform: WhatsApp B2B interface + complementary mobile/web interface with integrated backend database
User manuals and training materials
Data collection and implementation plan
Testing and validation report, including stakeholder feedback
Maintenance and support plan
- INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY EABC AND TCCIA
Lists of cross-border traders
Information on trade associations and service providers
Educational materials on the EAC Simplified Trade Regime (STR)
Simplified NTB reporting guides
Export procedures and business registration guides
Emergency contacts and relevant authorities
- ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT
Onboard credible buyers and aggregators
Facilitate at least six (6) B2B matchmaking engagements across EAC Partner States
- DURATION AND LOCATION OF ASSIGNMENT
The assignment will be undertaken physically and virtually between February 2026, for a maximum of 40 consultancy days
EABC will cover approved travel and accommodation costs
Professional fees are subject to withholding tax: 5% (residents), 15% (non-residents)
- REPORTING
All deliverables shall be submitted to:
Executive Director, EABC Secretariat
Project Coordinator, EABC–TCCIA–AGRA Project
All outputs remain the property of EABC.
- QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
The firm should demonstrate:
Academic qualifications in ICT, Computer Science, or related fields
Proven experience in WhatsApp API integration and mobile/web application development
Strong analytical and project management skills
Knowledge of EAC regional integration
Fluency in English; Kiswahili and French are an added advantage
Eligibility Criteria:
Legally registered firm in an EAC Partner State
Demonstrated WhatsApp system development experience
Qualified ICT/software engineering personnel
Valid incorporation, business license, and tax clearance certificates
- Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Description | Max Score |
| 1. Firm Experience & Capacity | Demonstrated experience in WhatsApp Business API integration, mobile/web B2B platforms. Evidence of at least 3 similar assignments completed. | 15 |
| 2. Qualifications & Experience of Key Personnel | Qualifications and experience of proposed team (ICT/Software Engineering). Experience in e-commerce is an added advantage. | 10 |
| 3. Methodology & Technical Approach | Soundness, clarity, and innovativeness of proposed methodology, including backend architecture, WhatsApp automation, analytics, security, scalability, and data management. Improved menu structure & functional design aligned with cross-border cereals & horticulture trade needs, STR, NTBs, GBV reporting, and B2B matchmaking. | 25 |
| 4. Buyer Onboarding & B2B Matchmaking Plan | Plan on onboarding credible buyers/aggregators and facilitating at least six (6) B2B matchmaking initiatives | 10 |
| 5. Training, Maintenance & Support Plan | Adequacy of proposed user training, documentation, post-deployment support, maintenance, and sustainability plan | 5 |
| 6. Work Plan & Timeline | Realistic and coherent work plan aligned with 40 consultancy days, including milestones and deliverables | 5 |
| Total Technical Score | 70 |
- Application Process
Applicants shall submit:
Technical Proposal (max. 20 pages); and
Financial Proposal (password-protected).
Submissions should be emailed to:
📧 procurement@eabc-online.com CC: director@eabc-online.com
Subject:
“CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED CROSS-BORDER TRADE PLATFORM WITH WHATSAPP NOTIFICATION GATEWAY”
Deadline: 23rd March 2026, 5:00 PM EAT
- Equal Opportunity Statement
EABC is an equal opportunity organization. Selection is merit-based. Canvassing will lead to disqualification. Environmental considerations will be taken into account.
END
Annex 1 – Current WhatsApp-based B2B Cross-Border Traders’ Platform
The WhatsApp-based B2B Cross-Border Traders’ Platform is accessible by texting Hi to WhatApp No +255 764 520 168
👋🏿 👨🏿 👧🏿 East Africa Women & Youth Cross-Border Traders B2B Platform
Cross-Border Cereal & Horticulture Trade Marketplace Registration
👉 https://eabc-traders-dashboard.netlify.app/cross-border-registration
Choose from the options below:
1️⃣. Search / Order products sold by cross-border traders
2️⃣. Buyers & Market Intelligence
3️⃣. Search for cross-border traders by border point
4️⃣. Learn how to trade under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime
5️⃣. Trading Procedures for Cereals & Horticulture
6️⃣. Report Challenge / NTB / Complaint / Whistleblow
7️⃣. Download EAC Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) Reporting App
8️⃣. Currency Exchange Rate
9️⃣. About Us
🔟. Change Language
Exit: Main Menu
Cross-Border Cereal & Horticulture Trade Marketplace Registration
👉 https://eabc-traders-dashboard.netlify.app/cross-border-registration
The East Africa Women & Youth Cross-Border Trade Guide is developed by the East African Business Council (EABC) and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) in partnership with AGRA, under the Project:
“Promoting Intra-EAC Agri-Food Cross-Border Trade by Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to Trade.”
