Objective:

To support the World Bank and the European Union in identifying commercially viable processing opportunities in the maize and livestock sectors, and to define the infrastructure and services needed to operationalize agro-industrial clusters to foster the processing in those value chains.

Background:

Cameroon is prioritizing agro-industrial development as a vehicle for rural transformation and job creation. In particular, the country seeks to increase value addition in maize and animal products—leveraging processing hubs to strengthen post-harvest handling, reduce losses, and integrate producers. These clusters may be established as standalone sites or embedded within existing agropoles/economic zones.

Scope of Work:

The study will be conducted over 10 weeks and will include the following phases:

1. Evaluation of Existing Clusters/Agropoles and SEZs
   
2. • Review 4–5 sites (e.g., Ntui, Ngaoundéré, Kribi SEZ)
   • Assess infrastructure, land readiness, governance, and service delivery
   • Identify operational lessons for future zone planning
3. Geographic Mapping of Production & Product Opportunities
   
4. • Map maize and livestock production clusters using secondary data and field interviews
   • Identify viable processed products per region (e.g., maize flour, animal feed, poultry cuts, powdered milk)
   • Analyze roles and constraints of existing players along the value chain (e.g. processors, cooperatives, and smallholders)
5. Zone Selection and Product-Market Alignment
   
6. • Select 3 high-potential agro-industrial zone locations based on production, market access, land status, and governance readiness
   • Propose an ideal product mix for each zone based on commercial potential and value chain fit
7. Infrastructure & Processing Blueprint
   
8. • Define the infrastructure, utilities, and shared services required to support each zone’s proposed product mix
   • Include energy, water, waste treatment, feed mills, chilling facilities, and SPS support services
   • Output: concise Infrastructure & Processing Blueprint per zone to guide public/private investment
9. Final Recommendations
   
10. • Provide 8–12 actionable recommendations across zone development, infrastructure investment, governance, and value chain integration
    • Include a policy brief and slide deck for dissemination

The World Bank is seeking a qualified consulting firm or consortium to conduct a rapid, field-based study to identify viable agro-industrial zones for value addition in maize and animal product value chains in Cameroon.

The assignment will involve:

1. Evaluating existing agropoles and SEZs

2. Mapping production clusters and processed product opportunities

3. Proposing 3 potential agro-industrial zone locations 

4. Defining infrastructure and service needs based on product mix

5. Recommending investment and policy actions

The study will be implemented over 10 weeks, with targeted fieldwork and stakeholder engagement across key production regions.

The preliminary TOR are included.

The EOI Deadline is 22 July 2025. Responses in English or French are welcome.