Training Track: Food Systems & Climate Resilience (Virtual) Project: IGNITE Food Systems Challenge 2025 Implementing Partners: AfriLabs & Seed Grow Co. Ltd

Background

AfriLabs is a pan-African network organization that supports innovation hubs, technology communities, and entrepreneurs across 53 African countries. It delivers targeted support programs to drive inclusive growth and strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

The World Food Programme (WFP), jointly operated by the United Nations and FAO, is represented in South Sudan through its Country Office in Juba, addressing urgent humanitarian and food security challenges.

Seed Grow Co. Ltd, a South Sudanese agro-enterprise, specializes in seed systems, agricultural inputs, and farmer advisory services.

About the Project

The IGNITE Innovation Hub for East Africa is a regional initiative launched in 2020 through a strategic partnership between the World Food Programme (WFP) and CARE Denmark. It aims to strengthen climate-resilient, inclusive, and locally led food systems across East Africa, with a primary focus on South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, and surrounding countries. The Hub operates under three foundational pillars:

I.             Entrepreneurship and Youth Innovation Support

II.             Collective Learning and Knowledge Sharing

III.             Strengthening Local Innovation Cultures

The IGNITE Innovation Challenge is a flagship mechanism of the hub, designed to support high-potential local changemakers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the technical, financial, and ecosystem support required to grow their innovations and improve local food systems.

For the 2025 edition, AfriLabs has been contracted by WFP South Sudan to implement the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge. The program is focused on catalysing the growth of agribusiness-focused MSMEs that can strengthen climate resilience and contribute to food security and economic recovery in South Sudan. Selected MSMEs will benefit from:

I.             Catalytic grants of between $10,000 and $40,000

II.            A tailored 3-month training program

III.            One-on-one mentorship support

IV.               Access to a pan-African ecosystem of innovators, experts, and government stakeholders

To ensure locally rooted implementation and effective capacity building, AfriLabs is partnering with Seed Grow Co. Ltd, a South Sudanese agro enterprise. Seed Grow will lead the coordination and delivery of in-person thematic trainings, local outreach activities, and monitoring and evaluation tasks, under the strategic guidance of AfriLabs.

Project Objectives

The overarching objective of the IGNITE Challenge 2025 is to empower agribusiness- focused MSMEs in South Sudan to develop climate-resilient, innovative, and market-driven enterprises that contribute to local food security and sustainable development. Specifically, the program aims to:

1. Deliver a structured entrepreneurial training program that addresses real- world challenges across the agricultural value chain, with a focus on business growth, innovation, and climate adaptation.

2. Equip MSMEs to effectively utilize performance-based small grants by strengthening their skills in financial management, accountability, and implementation planning.

3. Facilitate the adoption of climate-smart practices, including mechanisation, value addition, post-harvest innovation, and agroforestry solutions tailored to South Sudan’s context.

4. Foster linkages with key market actors, government bodies, and certification agencies to improve MSMEs’ access to markets, policy incentives, and institutional support.

5. Guide MSMEs in developing investment-ready business models, culminating in a final pitch showcase for potential investors, development partners, and relevant ministries.

6. Monitor and evaluate MSME progress through a robust M&E framework to ensure impact, adaptability, and long-term sustainability.

This comprehensive support model is designed not only to boost the viability of participating ventures, but also to strengthen South Sudan’s local innovation ecosystem and food system resilience over time.

Purpose of the Assignment

AfriLabs seeks to engage expert trainers to deliver a virtual entrepreneurial training track focused on business development, investor readiness, and operational growth. The training will strengthen MSMEs’ ability to scale sustainable, climate-resilient agribusinesses in South Sudan.

Scope of Work

1. Facilitators will be responsible for:

2. Designing needs-based training modules aligned with MSME profiles and project objectives.

3. Delivering live virtual sessions on:

   1. Business Model Development & Innovation

   2. Financial Management

   3. Sales & CRM

   4. Marketing & Branding

   5. Investor Readiness & Pitching

   6. Digital Tools for Business Operations

4. Developing accompanying materials (Presentations, templates, toolkits). Facilitating interactive Q&A and assignments.

5.  Tracking participant attendance and learning outcomes.

6.  Submitting weekly progress updates and a final facilitation report.

Deliverables

1. Training content and session plans.

2. Digital learning resources.

3. Session attendance logs and participant feedback.

4. Final summary report with recommendations.

Duration

1st July to 30th September 2025 (6 virtual modules delivered on alternating weeks).

Required Qualifications and Experience General Requirements

All facilitators are expected to possess the following qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, economics, or related field.

2. Minimum 5 years of relevant training or consulting experience.

3. Proven expertise in virtual facilitation and entrepreneurship development.

4. Familiarity with South Sudan’s and or East African agro-ecological and market contexts

5. Prior experience with AfriLabs, Seed Grow, or WFP is an added advantage.

Specialized Qualifications and Experience

All facilitators should be qualified two or more of the following areas:

• Expertise in Agriculture or food systems sector: The facilitator should understand Agricultural or food systems sector (e.g., crop production, livestock farming, agro-processing, AgriTech, food distribution, Climate-resilient farming practices) in the broader East African region and their applications in solving real-world problems.

• Experience with Climate Resilience Projects: The facilitator should have experience working on projects that focus on improving food security and/or promoting climate resilience in South Sudan. Examples include Climate-smart agriculture, regenerative farming techniques, sustainable water management, or climate adaptation strategies. Knowledge of carbon credits, green financing and circular economy practices.

• Financial management & Investment Readiness expertise: Expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and cash flow management. Experience in investment readiness training (pitch deck creation, investor relations, and fundraising strategies). Knowledge of impact investing, venture capital, and blended finance.

• Product Development: Experience in overseeing all stages of the product life cycle from conception to market release, focusing on usability and market fit.

• Business Development: Skilled in strategic planning and growth activities, enhancing the commercial viability and scalability of innovations.

• Design Thinking: Experience in facilitating design thinking workshops to foster innovation and user-centered product design.

• Prototyping: Skilled in rapid prototyping methods to quickly bring ideas to tangible forms for testing and feedback.

The Modules: [Entrepreneurial Development Training (Hybrid/Virtual)]

Remuneration

• A total consultancy fee of $1,500 will be paid upon successful completion of the assignment and submission of the final evaluation report.

• For Nigerian applicants, remuneration will be paid in Naira and will be subject to withholding tax deductions. For foreign applicants, any applicable tax obligations must be fulfilled by you with the relevant tax authority in your country of residence.

 Method Of Application

• Applying as an Individual:

1. Filled Vendor request form

2. Send a Cover Letter, CV or portfolio stating profile and relevant experience.

3. Means of Identification.

4. Submission of organization reference (i.e Name, email and phone number of organization you have provided similar services), also proof of work done for them should be submitted

5. A sample of previous review work, preferably related to competitive innovation or grant programs.

•  Applying as a company:

1. Filled Vendor Request Form

2. Send your company’s certificate.

3. Company registration document.

4. Cover letter and CV of relevant experience of the applicant or Team Lead.

5. Means of Identification of the team lead.

6. Submission of organization reference (i.e. Name, email and phone number of organization you have provided similar services), also proof of work done for them should be submitted

7. A sample of previous review work, preferably related to competitive innovation or grant programs.

Note the following:

• Please download and use the attached Vendor information form attached below to submit your application to procurement@afrilabs.com with the email subject: “WFP IGNITE TRAINER”. Applicants should submit their applications on or before COB June 20th, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

• Application should only be submitted if you agree to renumeration.

• Kindly find the vendor information form below, please download before use, DO NOT edit the uploaded template.

•  For Nigerians

•  For Non-Nigerians

• Paid Hub members are strongly advice to apply with their company name (If within their thematic areas and expertise).