The Government of the Republic of Burundi and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have issued an Avis de Manifestation d’Intérêt (Notice of Expression of Interest) for digital payment service providers. This initiative seeks companies to facilitate digital payments for the Project to Support Financial Inclusion and Resilience of Agricultural Value Chains in Burundi (PAIFAR-B). The services are required for digital payment solutions within the framework of contracts implementing a "zero cash" principle during PAIFAR-B workshops. PAIFAR-B has secured financing from the Government of the Republic of Burundi and IFAD. The notice, which serves as a formal call for expressions of interest, was officially published on September 9, 2026.
Project Goals and Scope
The Project to Support Financial Inclusion and Resilience of Agricultural Value Chains in Burundi is officially known as the Projet d’Appui à l’Inclusion Financière Agricole et Rurale du Burundi (PAIFAR-B). PAIFAR-B's objective is to enhance financial inclusion and resilience within agricultural value chains across the country. The initiative specifically aims to implement a "zero cash" principle during its workshops by utilizing digital payment solutions. These services are sought within the framework of framework contracts for the implementation of this "zero cash" principle. Financing secured for PAIFAR-B will partially cover the consultancy services provided by digital payment providers. These services are key for the deployment and management of the digital payment infrastructure that will facilitate transactions under the project. The engagement of these providers is central to achieving the project's goal of modernizing financial transactions for beneficiaries.
Submission Requirements and Deadlines
The notice for expressions of interest was published on September 9, 2026. Interested providers must submit their proposals by September 30, 2026, at 10 AM local time. All submissions are required to be delivered in person to the PAIFAR-B project office located in Bujumbura. The opening of these submissions is scheduled for the same day, September 30, 2026.
Prospective bidders seeking clarifications must send their requests via email at least 10 days before the submission opening date. This means clarification requests must be sent by email no later than September 20, 2026. The client will then respond to these clarification requests within 5 days prior to the final deadline for submissions, ensuring adequate time for bidders to incorporate any necessary adjustments. Each submission must include a letter of motivation, company statutes, a curriculum vitae (CV) of key personnel, the Numéro d'Identification Fiscale (NIF), and both general and specific references demonstrating relevant experience. Applicants are required to provide their submission in two formats: one original document and one copy, to ensure proper processing and record-keeping.
Further Information and Contact
Monsieur Callixte Masabo, the project coordinator, serves as the contact person for all submissions related to the initiative. The PAIFAR-B project office, where proposals must be delivered in person, is situated at avenue du large n° 30, BP 6457, in Bujumbura. For electronic communication, the submission email address is [email protected]. Additionally, clarification requests should be copied to [email protected] to ensure all relevant parties receive the communication. The project office can be reached by phone at +257 22 27 59 00 for further inquiries regarding the expression of interest. The complete notice regarding the call for expressions of interest is available for consultation on several platforms, including www.programmefidaburundi.org, www.arpm.bi, www.burundijob.bi, and www.lerenouveau.bi, providing full details to all potential applicants.
