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Moyale Kenya–Ethiopia Borderlands

1. Background

Strategies for Northern Development (SND), with support from GIZ through the African Union Border Programme (AUBP), is implementing the project “Building the Economic Resilience of Informal Women Cross-Border Traders in Moyale Kenya-Ethiopia Borderlands.”

The project aims to strengthen the economic resilience of informal women cross-border traders through:

  • Access to seed capital
  • Entrepreneurship and financial literacy training
  • Sensitization on the newly signed Simplified Trade Regime (STR) between Kenya and Ethiopia

This project will build on the Previous phase where a mapping exercise was undertaken to identify informal women cross border traders operating along the Moyale-Moyale corridor.

30 women traders (15 from Kenya and 15 from Ethiopia) were identified and engaged in capacity building activities. These included:

  • Training on cross border trade rules
  • Traders’ rights and obligations
  • Potential benefits of business formalization

Additionally, the women were equipped with entrepreneurship skills such as:

  • Identifying profitable products
  • Basic bookkeeping
  • Improving access to financial services

The selection process was conducted in close collaboration with Moyale Chamber of Commerce, relevant government offices such as trade, office of women affairs and other community structures.

Many of the supported informal women traders cited limited access to seed capital and unfavorable business environment at the crossing points as their primary challenges.

As part of the project, SND will identify and support four (4) informal women cross-border trader groups (two from Moyale Kenya and two from Moyale Ethiopia) with a seed grant of Kes 500,000 per group.

This ToR provides the framework for a transparent, accountable, conflict-sensitive, and competitive selection process to ensure that only credible, well-governed, and viable women trader groups are supported.

2. Objective of the ToR

The overall objective of this ToR is to guide a fair, transparent, and accountable process for identifying eligible informal women cross-border trader groups with demonstrated capacity and commitment to sustainable cross-border business.

Specific objectives are to:

  • Identify women trader groups actively engaged in cross-border trade along the Moyale–Moyale corridor
  • Ensure selected groups have minimum governance, financial management, and accountability systems
  • Prioritize groups with verifiable cross-border business activities and growth potential
  • Promote compliance with the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) and formal border procedures
  • Strengthen women’s economic empowerment while contributing to cross-border stabilization

3. Scope of the Selection Process

The selection process shall include:

  • Public call for Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Receipt and screening of applications
  • Scoring and ranking using agreed criteria
  • Field verification and due diligence
  • Final selection by a multi-stakeholder Selection Committee

A total of four (4) women trader groups (two from Moyale Kenya and two from Moyale Ethiopia), each comprising 15–30 members, will be selected.

4. Eligibility Criteria

4.1 Mandatory Eligibility Criteria

Applicant groups must meet all the following criteria:

  • Must hold a valid trade license and have been in operation for a minimum of twelve (12) months.
  • Must be composed of at least 90% women members
  • Must have 15–30 active members
  • Must have an active bank account in the official name of the group
  • Must demonstrate basic financial and administrative records, including:
    • Minutes of past meetings
    • Records of savings or member contributions
    • Identifiable leadership structure (chairperson, secretary, treasurer)
  • Must be actively engaged in informal cross-border trade between Moyale Kenya and Moyale Ethiopia
  • Must demonstrate willingness to participate in training and monitoring activities
  • Must demonstrate willingness to comply with STR provisions and formal border procedures
  • Must not be politically affiliated or involved in illicit or prohibited trade

Failure to meet any of the above criteria shall result in automatic disqualification.

4.2 Added Advantage Criteria

The following will be considered added advantages during scoring:

  • Existing and verifiable cross-border business venture
  • Evidence of regular use of formal or semi-formal border crossing points
  • Demonstrated savings culture (VSLA, table banking, merry-go-round)
  • Previous engagement with trade offices, cooperatives, or chambers of commerce

5. Selection Criteria and Scoring

Eligible groups will be assessed using a standardized scoring matrix as follows:

Criteria Scoring
Operational cross-border trading and business viability-Evidence of operation 25%
Group governance and accountability systems-how is the leadership structure and how are group finances operated 25%
Financial management capacity and records-Records of group finances including bank statements and cash book 15%
Understanding STR Agreement and compliance 10%
Inclusion of vulnerable women 10%
Co-investment and savings culture- How is group doing individual contributions and pooling resources to invest. 10%
Total 100%

Note: All these criteria should come out clearly in the application proposal.
Only groups scoring 70% and above will be considered for final selection.

6. Accountability and Risk Management Measures

To safeguard project resources and ensure impact, the following accountability measures shall apply:

  • Mandatory signing of a Seed Grant Agreement by selected groups
  • Submission and approval of a simple business and seed grant utilization plan prior to disbursement
  • Use of a dedicated group bank account for all project funds
  • Submission of quarterly financial and activity reports
  • Acceptance of routine monitoring visits, audits, and spot checks by SND
  • Clear sanctions for misuse of funds, including suspension, recovery, or disqualification

7. Selection Committee

A multi-stakeholder Selection Committee shall be constituted, comprising representatives from:

  • Strategies for Northern Development (SND)
  • Trade and Women Affairs Offices
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Border Management Committees (BMCs) – observer role
  • IGAD Cross-Border Development Facilitation Office (CBDFO)

The committee shall ensure impartiality, transparency, and adherence to this ToR.

8. Roles and Responsibilities of SND

Strategies for Northern Development (SND) shall:

  • Manage and oversee the entire competitive selection process
  • Facilitate transparent and timely transfer of seed grant resources to successful applicants
  • Ensure compliance with donor financial and accountability requirements
  • Provide financial literacy, entrepreneurship, governance, and STR sensitization training
  • Track and monitor utilization of seed grants through regular field visits and financial reviews
  • Provide continuous technical support and mentorship to supported groups
  • Establish and strengthen linkages with financial institutions, Trade, Women Affairs, and Cooperative offices, Border Management Committees (BMCs), IGAD and regional trade platforms
  • Maintain accurate documentation, reporting, and knowledge management
  • Enforce corrective actions in cases of non-compliance

9. Ethical and Conflict-Sensitive Considerations

The selection process shall adhere to:

  • Gender equality and social inclusion principles
  • Do-no-harm and conflict sensitivity approaches
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Zero tolerance to corruption

10. Duration

Submission deadline is 9th March 2026.

The selection process shall commence immediately after the submission deadline of the call for EOIs.

11. How to Apply

 

Completed applications should be submitted either:

Click here to download the application form

12. Safeguarding and Inclusion Statement

SND upholds strict safeguarding standards and is committed to protecting all participants from exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. The selection process shall ensure dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity for all applicants.