Firms/Individuals Country Research Partner
ACET: African Center for Economic Transformation
Posted
Mar 11, 2026
Location
Remote
Type
Full-time
Mission
What you will drive
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VACANCIES
Invitation for Expressions of Interest – Firms/Individuals Country Research Partner – Developing a West African Cotton Regional Value Chain under the West African Cotton Regional Value Chain Initiative: (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria)
Posted:** March 10, 2026
Location: Africa, Accra, Remote
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About ACET
The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is an economic policy institute supporting Africa’s long-term growth through transformation. We produce research, offer policy advice, and galvanize action for African countries to develop their economies, reduce poverty, and improve livelihoods for all their people. We are the pre-eminent African organization advancing African solutions to African challenges. To learn more about ACET, visit www.acetforafrica.org
Background of Assignment
Regional integration is a central pillar of Africa’s economic transformation agenda, as emphasized by the ACET in its African Transformation Report. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) anchors this agenda by promoting intra-African trade through tariff reductions, services liberalization, and the removal of non-tariff barriers, with the long-term goal of establishing a continental single market. To fully realize these gains, countries must strengthen policy coordination and regional collaboration, particularly in sectors with high transformation potential.
The cotton value chain presents a major opportunity. Although Africa produces about 6% of global cotton, it captures less than 2% of global processing capacity and textile and apparel exports. West Africa, despite being a leading cotton producer, exports most of its raw cotton, with value addition occurring elsewhere. Developing regional value chains (RVCs) under the AfCFTA—linking production, ginning, textiles, and garment manufacturing—could dramatically increase value addition, boost competitiveness, create millions of jobs, and strengthen resilience to external shocks.
Since SMEs account for roughly 90% of Africa’s private sector and contribute significantly to employment and GDP, tailored policies are needed to integrate them into these regional value chains alongside larger firms. Ongoing efforts by the AfCFTA Secretariat and its Industrialization Advisory Council aim to advance a common vision for regional cotton value chains. Building on these initiatives, the focus is on identifying practical, evidence-based policies to facilitate AfCFTA-enabled cotton RVCs in West Africa and drive coordinated regional industrial development.
To support this initiative, ACET is seeking the services of a Country Partner for each of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria to develop a West African cotton regional value chain proof of concept as a driver of growth. The study will utilize ACET’s Policy Engagement Model (APEM) to undertake analysis and conduct stakeholder consultations in the selected countries. The analysis will be informed by in-country structured interviews with key stakeholders, in addition to quantitative data analysis, to prepare four country case studies.
The country partner will:
-
Produce a country-level inception report based on an outline provided by ACET
-
Collect and analyze primary and secondary data from local, regional, and development partners.
-
Develop a draft country report based on qualitative and quantitative data collected through field interviews or curated datasets.
-
Co-organize and participate in the validation workshop, which will be targeted at key players involved in the study.
-
Develop a final draft report to reflect the outcomes of the reviews and validation workshop.
-
Co-organize regional launch of the synthesis report to engage African policymakers, the AfCFTA Secretariat, regional organizations, leading firms, and African SMEs with connections to regional value chains.
Detailed Terms of Reference can be accessed here.
Qualification and Team Composition of the Partner:
The country research partner institution/team should have the following qualifications and experience:
-
Must be legally registered and located in-country (if it is a firm)
-
Strong background in economic research and analysis, with expertise in economic transformation and development.
-
Proven track record of experience in conducting high-quality research and analysis related to value chain development, trade, and private sector development, including policy analysis and program evaluation.
-
Demonstrate the ability to mobilize a competent research team, led by a senior researcher with more than a decade of experience in leading and delivering high-quality research projects.
-
Deep knowledge of the economic landscape in the region, including economic policies, laws, and regulations, as well as global and regional best practices in economic development.
-
Proven capacity and experience to work intensively virtually, cooperate within a team, and deliver under tight delivery schedules.
-
Excellent writing, research, and presentation skills.
-
A strong network of high-level contacts in government and the ability to effectively engage with key policymakers to influence policy decisions.
ACET invites eligible consulting firms and Individuals (Consultants) to indicate their interest in the assignment. Interested Consultants should provide information indicating their qualifications and ability to perform the service by submitting an expression of interest in the form of a cover letter together with detailed CVs for Individual Consultants and in the form of the profile of the Firm and a Cover letter (for firms) expressing interest in the assignment. Please indicate the country you are applying for in the subject line and cover letter.
Expressions of interest should be submitted electronically via email to the address below by Thursday, March 18th, 2026 (by 23:59 hrs. GMT)
The Chief Operating Officer,
ATTN: Procurement Unit,
No 7 Yiyiwa Drive, Abelemkpe
PMB CT4, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana,
T: +233 (0) 302 210 240, +233 (0) 242 436 858
E: [email protected], www.acetforafrica.org
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Growth with DEPTH
Diversification
The ability to produce and export a broad array of goods and services.
$
Export competitiveness
The ability to compete in the global market for non-extractive exports.
$
Productivity increases
Labor productivity in the agriculture, manufacturing and construction, and services sectors.
$
Technology upgrading
The share of medium- and high-technology content in production and exports.
$
Human well-being
Incomes, income inequality, and total and female formal employment.
$
Download the Full Report
Explore the ATI Country Profiles
To explore the results of the index in greater detail and provide context and analysis, the ATI report includes 30 case studies. Explore the countries in more detail by clicking on the country below:
Algeria
Gambia
Nigeria
Botswana
Ghana
Republic of the Congo
Burundi
Kenya
Rwanda
Cameroon
Madagascar
Senegal
Cape Verde
Malawi
South Africa
Côte d'Ivoire
Mauritius
Tanzania
Egypt
Morocco
Tunisia
Eswatini
Mozambique
Uganda
Ethiopia
Namibia
Zambia
Gabon
Niger
Zimbabwe
News & Media $
Media Contact:**Belinda Ayamgha
Communications Manager
Phone:
+233 54 434 2012
+233 26 818 2817
Email:
[email protected]
KNOW THE BEGINNING WELL
AN INSIDE JOURNEY THROUGH FIVE DECADES OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT**
BY K.Y. AMOAKO
Read About the Book
AFRICAN TRANSFORMATION QUARTERLY
View the Newsletter Archive $
Subscribe
E...
Profile
What makes you a great fit
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© African Center for Economic Transformation 2023
Privacy Policy
VACANCIES
Invitation for Expressions of Interest – Firms/Individuals Country Research Partner – Developing a West African Cotton Regional Value Chain under the West African Cotton Regional Value Chain Initiative: (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria)
Posted:** March 10, 2026
Location: Africa, Accra, Remote
Share On Facebook
Share On X
Share On Whatsapp
Share Via Email
Copy URL
Share this page
Share On Facebook
Share On X
Share On Whatsapp
Share Via Email
Copy URL
About ACET
The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is an economic policy institute supporting Africa’s long-term growth through transformation. We produce research, offer policy advice, and galvanize action for African countries to develop their economies, reduce poverty, and improve livelihoods for all their people. We are the pre-eminent African organization advancing African solutions to African challenges. To learn more about ACET, visit www.acetforafrica.org
Background of Assignment
Regional integration is a central pillar of Africa’s economic transformation agenda, as emphasized by the ACET in its African Transformation Report. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) anchors this agenda by promoting intra-African trade through tariff reductions, services liberalization, and the removal of non-tariff barriers, with the long-term goal of establishing a continental single market. To fully realize these gains, countries must strengthen policy coordination and regional collaboration, particularly in sectors with high transformation potential.
The cotton value chain presents a major opportunity. Although Africa produces about 6% of global cotton, it captures less than 2% of global processing capacity and textile and apparel exports. West Africa, despite being a leading cotton producer, exports most of its raw cotton, with value addition occurring elsewhere. Developing regional value chains (RVCs) under the AfCFTA—linking production, ginning, textiles, and garment manufacturing—could dramatically increase value addition, boost competitiveness, create millions of jobs, and strengthen resilience to external shocks.
Since SMEs account for roughly 90% of Africa’s private sector and contribute significantly to employment and GDP, tailored policies are needed to integrate them into these regional value chains alongside larger firms. Ongoing efforts by the AfCFTA Secretariat and its Industrialization Advisory Council aim to advance a common vision for regional cotton value chains. Building on these initiatives, the focus is on identifying practical, evidence-based policies to facilitate AfCFTA-enabled cotton RVCs in West Africa and drive coordinated regional industrial development.
To support this initiative, ACET is seeking the services of a Country Partner for each of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria to develop a West African cotton regional value chain proof of concept as a driver of growth. The study will utilize ACET’s Policy Engagement Model (APEM) to undertake analysis and conduct stakeholder consultations in the selected countries. The analysis will be informed by in-country structured interviews with key stakeholders, in addition to quantitative data analysis, to prepare four country case studies.
The country partner will:
-
Produce a country-level inception report based on an outline provided by ACET
-
Collect and analyze primary and secondary data from local, regional, and development partners.
-
Develop a draft country report based on qualitative and quantitative data collected through field interviews or curated datasets.
-
Co-organize and participate in the validation workshop, which will be targeted at key players involved in the study.
-
Develop a final draft report to reflect the outcomes of the reviews and validation workshop.
-
Co-organize regional launch of the synthesis report to engage African policymakers, the AfCFTA Secretariat, regional organizations, leading firms, and African SMEs with connections to regional value chains.
Detailed Terms of Reference can be accessed here.
Qualification and Team Composition of the Partner:
The country research partner institution/team should have the following qualifications and experience:
-
Must be legally registered and located in-country (if it is a firm)
-
Strong background in economic research and analysis, with expertise in economic transformation and development.
-
Proven track record of experience in conducting high-quality research and analysis related to value chain development, trade, and private sector development, including policy analysis and program evaluation.
-
Demonstrate the ability to mobilize a competent research team, led by a senior researcher with more than a decade of experience in leading and delivering high-quality research projects.
-
Deep knowledge of the economic landscape in the region, including economic policies, laws, and regulations, as well as global and regional best practices in economic development.
-
Proven capacity and experience to work intensively virtually, cooperate within a team, and deliver under tight delivery schedules.
-
Excellent writing, research, and presentation skills.
-
A strong network of high-level contacts in government and the ability to effectively engage with key policymakers to influence policy decisions.
ACET invites eligible consulting firms and Individuals (Consultants) to indicate their interest in the assignment. Interested Consultants should provide information indicating their qualifications and ability to perform the service by submitting an expression of interest in the form of a cover letter together with detailed CVs for Individual Consultants and in the form of the profile of the Firm and a Cover letter (for firms) expressing interest in the assignment. Please indicate the country you are applying for in the subject line and cover letter.
Expressions of interest should be submitted electronically via email to the address below by Thursday, March 18th, 2026 (by 23:59 hrs. GMT)
The Chief Operating Officer,
ATTN: Procurement Unit,
No 7 Yiyiwa Drive, Abelemkpe
PMB CT4, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana,
T: +233 (0) 302 210 240, +233 (0) 242 436 858
E: [email protected], www.acetforafrica.org
Share this page
Share On Facebook
Share On X
Share On Whatsapp
Share Via Email
Copy URL
Growth with DEPTH
Diversification
The ability to produce and export a broad array of goods and services.
$
Export competitiveness
The ability to compete in the global market for non-extractive exports.
$
Productivity increases
Labor productivity in the agriculture, manufacturing and construction, and services sectors.
$
Technology upgrading
The share of medium- and high-technology content in production and exports.
$
Human well-being
Incomes, income inequality, and total and female formal employment.
$
Download the Full Report
Explore the ATI Country Profiles
To explore the results of the index in greater detail and provide context and analysis, the ATI report includes 30 case studies. Explore the countries in more detail by clicking on the country below:
Algeria
Gambia
Nigeria
Botswana
Ghana
Republic of the Congo
Burundi
Kenya
Rwanda
Cameroon
Madagascar
Senegal
Cape Verde
Malawi
South Africa
Côte d'Ivoire
Mauritius
Tanzania
Egypt
Morocco
Tunisia
Eswatini
Mozambique
Uganda
Ethiopia
Namibia
Zambia
Gabon
Niger
Zimbabwe
News & Media $
Media Contact:**Belinda Ayamgha
Communications Manager
Phone:
+233 54 434 2012
+233 26 818 2817
Email:
[email protected]
KNOW THE BEGINNING WELL
AN INSIDE JOURNEY THROUGH FIVE DECADES OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT**
BY K.Y. AMOAKO
Read About the Book
AFRICAN TRANSFORMATION QUARTERLY
View the Newsletter Archive $
Subscribe
E...