Terms of Reference: Consultant for a Study on Regulatory and Policy Frameworks for Alternative Finance Mechanisms

Note: Please review the full Terms of Reference (ToR), including detailed methodology and deliverables via this link.

Project Overview:
The IYBA-SEED program, part of the EU’s Investing in Young Businesses in Africa initiative, supports the growth of youth- and women-led businesses in early development stages. MSMEs are vital for Africa’s economic development, yet they face significant barriers in accessing formal credit. This study focuses on alternative finance mechanisms (e.g., microfinance, mobile money, peer-to-peer lending) and the regulatory and policy frameworks needed to enable these mechanisms to thrive, fostering financial inclusion and business growth.

Purpose of the Assignment:
The selected consultant or firm will analyze the landscape of alternative finance models in IYBA-SEED countries, identify regulatory gaps and opportunities, and propose tailored policy recommendations to strengthen the ecosystem for youth- and women-led businesses. The deliverables include:

• A landscape analysis of existing alternative finance mechanisms.
• Gap and opportunity identification reports.
• Policy condition analysis with strategic recommendations.
• Development of an assessment tool for evaluating policy and regulatory conditions.