DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL TENDER JULY 2025
| REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) |
CATALYSING INCLUSIVE HONEY VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT IN MANDERA COUNTY THROUGH PRIVATE SECTOR CO-INVESTMENT.
Closing date: 4 Aug 2025
- Introduction
The BORESHA-NABAD Programme is a three-year, European Union-funded initiative implemented by a consortium led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). The programme works to strengthen resilience, economic inclusion, and peaceful coexistence across the borderlands of Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia through systems-thinking and market-driven approaches.
As part of its broader Market Systems Development (MSD) strategy, the programme aims to stimulate inclusive and sustainable economic growth by fostering private sector investment and innovation within high-potential value chains. In this context, the programme is prioritizing the development of the honey value chain in Mandera County, Kenya a region with untapped potential for apiculture, yet constrained by systemic market barriers and limited integration of smallholder producers. Below are the findings from an assessment carried out at Tarama location by the county Government:
- Absence of Formal Apiary: The LCIG group currently lacks a formal apiary. Beehives are placed on tree branches and enclosed using thorn bush fencing, similar to a homestead compound.
- Lack of Technical Design: There is no structured apiary layout, and hive placement lacks considerations for spacing, sun orientation, and access, hindering proper management.
- Hive Placement for Predator Control: Placing hives on trees is a local strategy used to deter predators. However, it presents risks related to hive accessibility, stability, and weather exposure.
- Training History: The group previously received training by DRC BORESHA on:
- General beekeeping
- Apiary site selection and layout
- Dryland agriculture techniques
However, they lack the necessary infrastructure to translate training into practice.
This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to identify and engage private sector actors such as honey aggregators, processors, off-takers, and service providers with demonstrated potential and strategic interest in expanding their honey related operations in Mandera. The objective is to catalyze commercially viable and scalable business models that integrate local smallholder beekeepers into sustainable value chains, enhance product quality and market access, and ultimately contribute to improved livelihoods and resilience for rural communities.
Firms responding to this RFI should have a clear vision for growth, a commitment to inclusive business practices, and the capacity to co-invest in innovative approaches that strengthen backward and forward linkages within the honey ecosystem.
Note: This is not a call for proposals or tender. BORESHA-NABAD is not requesting technical or financial bids at this stage. This RFI is purely exploratory and will inform a competitive procurement process.
- Objective of the RFI
This RFI aims to:
- Identify private firms with a proven track record or high potential in honey production, aggregation, processing, and marketing
- Assess the readiness and strategic interest of identified firms to commercially expand into Mandera County through inclusive, scalable, and market-responsive business models.
- Explore how strategic partnerships can help de-risk private sector investments, support co-financing of innovative business models, and incentivize sustained engagement with local honey producer groups through shared value approaches and aligned community driven priorities.
- Submission Instructions
Interested firms should email their Expression of Interest (3–5 pages max, PDF or Word) by 04th August 2025 at 17:00pm tender.ken@drc.ngo
Subject Line: RFI – Honey Value Chain – Mandera County
For any clarifications, please contact: procurement.ken@drc.ngo
- Important Notes
This RFI is solely for market sounding and information gathering. It does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to contract.
Only firms that demonstrate strong alignment with BORESHA-NABAD’s systems-oriented approach will be shortlisted for future engagement.
All submissions will be treated as confidential and used only for internal programme design and planning purposes.
We look forward to hearing from innovative and growth-oriented honey enterprises ready to transform the Mandera honey market with commercially sustainable and inclusive models.
Terms of Reference (TOR) for Catalyzing Inclusive Honey Value Chain Development in Mandera County through Private Sector Co-Investment.
Background
Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO with specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities. DRC works at all stages of displacement: in the acute crisis, during displacement, settlement and integration in a new place, and upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance, supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included in hosting societies, and collaborates with civil society and responsible authorities to promote rights protection and peaceful coexistence.
The BORESHA-NABAD Programme is a three-year initiative funded by the European Union and led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), working to promote peacebuilding, resilience, and inclusive economic growth across the cross-border regions of Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The programme employs a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to catalyze private-sector engagement and sustainable market access for marginalized populations.
Purpose of the ToR
In Mandera County, the honey value chain remains largely informal and underdeveloped, constrained by weak aggregation systems, low and inconsistent volumes, poor post-harvest handling, and minimal private sector investment. BORESHA-NABAD seeks to crowd in a commercially oriented honey processing firm to serve as a lead market actor in transforming the local honey market into an inclusive, scalable, and commercially viable system.
Objective of the Consultancy
- To identify and partner with a honey processing company that demonstrates the capacity, commitment, and commercial incentive to:
- Expand business operations into Mandera County;
- Aggregate, process, and market honey at scale;
- Establish contract-based relationships with smallholder producers and cooperatives;
- Deliver embedded services and quality assurance systems;
- Develop market-responsive, traceable supply chains that connect Mandera honey to national and regional markets.
This partnership will be grounded in a matching fund mechanism, whereby both DRC and the selected firm co-invest in key activities to de-risk initial engagement, demonstrate commercial viability, and stimulate systemic uptake.
Please find complete bidding documents in the following link: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – Catalyzing Inclusive Honey Value Chain Development in Mandera
How to apply
