RFP - Business Development Services Provider to provide Technical Assistance

RFP-007/26 - Business Development services Provider to Provide Technical Assistance, Business Support and Training for Sierra Leone SMEs for their readiness to trade with Japanese Companies.Sierra Leone’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, extractive industries, and a growing services sector, with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) playing a central role in employment creation and inclusive economic growth. Despite their importance, SMEs continue to face significant challenges, including limited access to finance, low productivity, weak business management capacities, and limited participation in international markets.The Government of Sierra Leone is prioritizing private sector development and economic diversification, working closely with partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through initiatives such as the Growth Accelerator Programme, UNDP has been supporting SMEs with business development services, technical assistance, and access to finance, with a particular focus on women- and youth-led enterprises. Against the backdrop of global economic shocks, declining development financing, and changing international trade dynamics, expanding into new and untapped markets such as Japan has become increasingly important for Sierra Leonean businesses. With support from the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, a new project has been initiated to strengthen trade and business linkages between Sierra Leonean SMEs and Japanese enterprises by improving SME competitiveness, export readiness, product sophistication, and market access. The project also aims to promote business-to-business engagements, knowledge exchange, and trade facilitation in alignment with opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).One of the key activities under the project is the provision of technical assistance to Sierra Leonean SMEs to enhance their readiness to trade wit