Accelerating AgriTech and AquaTech SMEs through Japan–South Africa

Description

Introduction Introduction UNDP South Africa seeks a capable and experienced service provider to deliver a 7-month programme that enhances the innovation capacity, market readiness, and global competitiveness of 50 tech-driven Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Agri-Tech and Aqua-Tech sectors. This Terms of Reference outlines a high-impact intervention centered on enterprise acceleration, international technology exchange with Japanese firms, and real-world demonstration of SME-led solutions through smallholder farmer outreach. Funded by the Government of Japan, the assignment also serves as a platform for deepening bilateral cooperation, enabling South African SMEs to evolve into future distributors, integrators, or co-developers of Japan-origin technologies. The service provider will be responsible for designing and executing an integrated programme comprising three core components: SME Acceleration, Japan–South Africa Technology Exchange, and SME-Led Farmer Outreach. The service provider will work with, and consult with local ecosystem partners, especially the public sector and private sector. The Strategic Approach to the programme centers on Market Entry and Innovation Sandbox for Japan–South Africa Collaboration. To incentivize meaningful participation from Japanese Agri-Tech and Aqua-Tech firms, the programme is intentionally designed as a pre-commercial sandbox: a structured environment where technologies can be showcased, tested, adapted, and validated through partnerships with South African SMEs and smallholder farmers. Interested suppliers must submit their offer directly in the system as instructed in the solicitation document, following the instructions in the available user guide. n case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in the guides available in UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders . Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration. UNDP OFFICE SOUTH AFRICA PROCUREMENT UNIT