Subject: Invitation to Bid – Request for Proposals (RFP) for the AKOFADA Project Endline Study

Date: June 6, 2026

To: Qualified Evaluation Vendors, Research Firms, Consulting Organizations, and Academic Institutions

From: Shega Media & Technology PLC

Dear Prospective Bidder,

Shega Media & Technology PLC cordially invites your organization to submit a competitive proposal for conducting the Endline Study for the “Advancing Knowledge on Financial Accessibility and DFS Adoption” (AKOFADA) Project.

The goal of this assignment is to select a qualified research or consulting firm to design and implement a rigorous mixed-methods endline survey that measures shifts in Digital Financial Services (DFS) awareness, trust, confidence, usage, and overall financial inclusion in Ethiopia against the project’s 2024 baseline data.

Project Overview & Objectives

The AKOFADA project focuses on driving financial inclusion in underserved rural and semi-rural areas across Ethiopia. A core element of this evaluation is assessing the impact of Pillar III: the DFS Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) sub-project, which utilized multi-channel radio campaigns and ground activations to reach over 3 million beneficiaries.

The primary objectives of the assignment include:

• Measuring change across all key project indicators from the July 2024 baseline to the 2026 endline.

• Evaluating the reach, recall, and behavioral attribution of the multi-channel BCC campaign.

• Mapping and evaluating shifts in DFS knowledge, capacity, and service offerings among financial service providers and SACCOs.

• Generating actionable recommendations for future financial inclusion programming and policy engagement in Ethiopia.

Scope and Geographic Footprint

The survey must cover the exact geographic footprint established during the baseline study, encompassing 18 specific rural and semi-rural kebeles across 9 target areas within the Oromia, Amhara, South Ethiopia, and Central Ethiopia regional states:

1. Adama outlying regions

2. Ambo outlying regions

3. Jimma outlying regions

4. Arba Minch outlying regions

5. Dila outlying regions

6. Hosana outlying regions

7. Wolkite outlying regions

8. Bahirdar outlying regions

9. Dessie outlying regions

Key Methodological Requirement: The quantitative household survey must feature a minimum sample size of $ge693$ households using CAPI platforms (KoboToolbox/SurveyCTO) and be supplemented by qualitative, BCC-specific attribution interviews and secondary data reviews.

Critical Timeline & Submission Deadlines

• RFP Issue Date: June 6, 2026

• Proposal Submission Deadline: June 20, 2026, by 5:30 p.m. EAT

• Anticipated Survey Period: June 29, 2026 – August 25, 2026

Submission Requirements

Interested firms must submit their bid package in English, containing separate technical and financial components. Your submission must include:

• Technical Proposal (Max 15 pages): Detailing your understanding of the assignment, research design, sampling plan, BCC evaluation approach, quality assurance protocols, and a detailed work plan.

• Financial Proposal: Itemized budget in Ethiopian Birr (ETB) broken down by personnel, field costs, equipment, and deliverables.

• Required Annexes: Team CVs (including a qualified Survey Statistician), evidence of Institutional Registration/Tax Compliance (TIN, trade license), evidence of Ethical Review capacity, and a minimum of three client references for comparable surveys in Ethiopia within the past 5 years.

How to Apply

Please email your complete proposal package to Procurement@shega.org  with the subject line “Application – AKOFADA Endline Study”.

For any clarifying questions or institutional inquiries regarding the Terms of Reference, please contact us via email or phone at +251 95 233 3331.

We look forward to receiving your strategic proposals.

Sincerely,

The Procurement Team

Shega Media & Technology PLC