Terms of Reference: Non-Key Experts Biosolutions Sector Development and Policy Study

BACKGROUND

DeSIRA LIFT+ is a service facility supporting the DeSIRA+ initiative funded by DG INTPA. The DeSIRA+ initiative (approx. €100M, complemented by EU Member States contributions) supports agroecological, ecosystem-based and nature-based transitions in agriculture and food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa by boosting innovation at scale, with strong research and knowledge components.

RATIONALE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Within the broader agroecological transition agenda, the development of biosolutions (including organic fertilizers, biostimulants, and biological crop protection products) represents an emerging strategic sector with strong linkages to research and innovation systems, entrepreneurship development, and policy frameworks supporting sustainable agriculture.
Scaling agroecological transitions will require strengthening the enabling ecosystem for biosolutions, including research–innovation linkages, regulatory frameworks, private sector engagement and deployment, and investment facilitation. While a number of DeSIRA+ and other EU-related projects intend to contribute to biosolutions development, there is currently limited consolidated knowledge on:

•  The status of the biosolutions sector (including R&D) and of related policy frameworks and private investment prospects between European actors and African countries;
• The extent to which DeSIRA+ projects and other relevant EU-related projects contribute to biosolutions development and to the emergence of entrepreneurial or cooperative models and to innovative financial schemes to support these developments;
• Opportunities for collaboration between African actors and European companies (including SMEs);
• Mechanisms that could facilitate investment and partnership development in this sector.

This assignment aims to produce a sectoral study combining analytical mapping and strategic assessment, key informant interviews and stakeholder consultation and strategic recommendations to support collaboration, private sector engagement, investment mobilization, and policy dialogue around biosolutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Such an approach could open opportunities for private investments in line with the EU Global Gateway strategy