Smart Africa has officially launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting qualified consultancy firms to conduct a comprehensive Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Regulatory & Policy Environment Assessment, alongside the development of tailored support pathways across eight African countries. This assignment represents a strategic opportunity to contribute to Africa’s digital transformation agenda by strengthening regulatory frameworks, innovation ecosystems, and policy environments that support digital entrepreneurs and innovators across the continent. About Smart Africa Smart Africa is a pan-African alliance of countries, private sector players, and development partners committed to accelerating socio-economic development through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, Smart Africa works to advance digital inclusion, innovation, entrepreneurship, and harmonized ICT policies across its member states. Through evidence-based policy reform and multi-stakeholder collaboration, Smart Africa aims to position Africa as a single digital market that enables innovation-driven growth and inclusive development. Purpose of the Consultancy The objective of this consultancy is to support Smart Africa’s mission by conducting a country-level assessment of digital entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, with a strong focus on regulatory and policy environments. The consultancy will also design practical, context-specific support pathways to address identified gaps and accelerate the growth of digital startups and innovation-driven enterprises. The assessment will inform policy dialogue, institutional reform, and targeted interventions that enhance the ability of entrepreneurs—particularly youth, women, and underserved groups—to build and scale digital businesses. Scope of Work The selected consultancy firm will be responsible for: Conducting a comprehensive assessment of digital entrepreneurship and innovation regulatory and policy frameworks in eight African countries Analyzing national laws, regulations, policies, and institutional arrangements affecting digital startups, innovation hubs, and technology-driven enterprises Mapping key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector actors, innovation hubs, accelerators, and development partners Identifying regulatory barriers, policy gaps, and enabling factors impacting digital innovation and entrepreneurship Benchmarking national frameworks against regional and international best practices Developing tailored support pathways and actionable recommendations for each country, aligned with national priorities and Smart Africa’s continental agenda Producing high-quality analytical reports and practical policy recommendations for decision-makers The consultancy is expected to apply a people-centred, inclusive, and evidence-based approach, ensuring that proposed pathways are realistic, scalable, and responsive to local contexts. Who Should Apply? Smart Africa is seeking experienced consultancy firms with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: Digital economy policy and regulation Innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship development ICT, technology, and startup policy reform Regulatory impact assessments and policy analysis Private sector development and inclusive innovation Applicants should demonstrate: Strong experience working across African digital and innovation ecosystems Proven ability to deliver multi-country policy assessments Strong analytical, research, and report-writing capacity Experience engaging governments, private sector, and ecosystem actors Capacity to deliver high-quality outputs within defined timelines Key Dates and Reference Information Client: Smart Africa Secretariat RFP Number: 142/SA/RFP/01/2026 Release Date: 7 January 2026 Application Deadline: 9 February 2026 at 5:00 PM (Kigali local time) Location: Fully remote / Anywhere Smart Africa Secretariat10th Floor, Career Centre BuildingKG 541 ST, Kigali, RwandaPO Box 4913 Submission and Enquiries Proposal submissions: procurement@smartafrica.org Questions and clarifications: tenderenquiries@smartafrica.org Interested firms are encouraged to carefully review the full RFP document and ensure that proposals meet all technical, financial, and administrative requirements prior to submission. Why This Opportunity Matters Africa’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly, yet regulatory and policy environments often lag behind innovation. This consultancy offers a unique chance to shape forward-looking digital entrepreneurship frameworks that unlock investment, support startups, and promote inclusive digital growth. By contributing to this assignment, the selected consultancy will play a direct role in: Strengthening national and regional digital innovation ecosystems Informing policy reforms that enable startup growth Supporting youth and women-led digital enterprises Advancing Africa’s vision of a harmonized digital single market This RFP is a high-impact opportunity for consultancy firms seeking to influence digital policy, innovation ecosystems, and entrepreneurship development at a continental scale. With Smart Africa’s leadership and strong convening power, the outputs of this consultancy are expected to inform strategic decision-making and long-term digital transformation efforts across Africa. Qualified firms are strongly encouraged to submit competitive proposals ahead of the deadline. SEE FULL TOR HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding