Introduction and Background
The Regional Food Balance Sheet (RFBS) initiative, led by COMESA and supported by AGRA, FCDO, MCF and Gates Foundation, aims to enhance food security, trade and investment through the provision of timely, accurate, and accessible data on food production, consumption, trade, and market balances across the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region. A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of the RFBS digital platform is operational at https://rfbsa.com, with data from six pilot countries (Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), and three major food crops (maize, beans, and rice); with plans to expand to four more countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe) and three additional food crops (wheat, soybeans and sorghum/millet) in 2025.
As part of Phase II (2024–2027), COMESA seeks to enhance accessibility and usability of the RFBS platform through the development of a Mobile Application (Mobile APP) for both Android and iOS platforms, and a USSD service to complement and enhance usage of the existing RFBS web platform. This targets to ensure wider reach, especially among tech-savvy youth and women agri-preneurs and facilitate timely access to critical trade and food security data.
COMESA invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest to design, develop, and deploy an inclusive, secure, and scalable mobile application (Android and iOS), a USSD interface, and an upgraded web platform that enhances the RFBS system’s usability and functionality. Providing real-time access to food security data for use by policy makers, traders, researchers, development partners, farmers especially for youth, women, and smallholder stakeholders. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
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