Background: The Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP), which is jointly funded by the Government of Zimbabwe, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), is promoting inclusive value chain development activities in five (5) provinces in Zimbabwe covering eighteen (18) participating districts. The goal of the project is to increase household incomes and improve nutrition through sustainable transformation of the smallholder farming sector. Value Chain Financing is available in the form of loans (US$ 11 million) to support value chain development by Agriculture Producer Groups (APGs), Micro-Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Value Chain Lead Enterprises (VCLE) working with SACP, in line with the Government of Zimbabwe strategy of rural transformation.
The project is interested in partnering commercial banks and deposit taking micro-finance institutions in implementing a Revolving Loan Facility (RLF) for the VCLEs, APGs and MSMEs, aimed at facilitating the delivery of the SACP goals and objectives of increased equitable smallholder participation in market-oriented, climate-smart, and nutrition-sensitive value chains.
This request for EOI is open to commercial banks and deposit taking micro-finance institutions that have an agribusiness strategy aligned to the SACP goals and objectives. The implementation and management of the RLF is following a two-tier system involving the RBZ as the Host Financial Institution to receive the portfolio from SACP and disburse the resources to Retail Financial Institutions which will directly disburse to APGs, MSMEs and VCLEs.
Expression of Interest Requirements: Prospective applicants must be formally registered banks and deposit taking micro-finance institutions with a minimum of five years in operation and have tangible experience working with smallholder farmers as well as financing the agribusiness sector. The applicant financial institutions should have the capacity to service smallholder farmer groups, and agribusiness micro and lead enterprises in and outside the districts and provinces covered by SACP.
EOI Requirements and Procedures: Prospective applicants should submit an EOI Cover Letter, completed Expression of Interest Form outlining their agribusiness strategies including experience serving smallholder farmers and current capacities. Applicants should also submit Valid Licence Documentation, Company registration Certificates, and VAT Certification. Submitted information will be used by SACP to assess the suitability of the financial institution to partner with the SACP and deliver on the project objectives. SACP will also undertake due diligence exercises and may institute audit proceedings, if needed, for the shortlisted financial institutions. The closing dates for receipt of the expression of interest is the 24th of December 2025. The Expression of Interest Application Packages can be accessed through a request to the following e-mails; anyakatsapa@sacp.co.zw
Kindly note that financial services providers that have already submitted their EOI need not respond to this call as their submission are already under consideration. For more information and application procedure, visit the SACP website; http://www.sacp.co.zw
