REOI - COMMUNICATION, MEDIA ENGAGEMENT AND EVENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT FOR THE OPERATIONALIZATION AND OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE AFRICA CREDIT RATING AGENCY (AfCRA)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTREST (REOI)

PROCUREMENT NUMBER: APRM/GSR/01/02/2026

COMMUNICATION, MEDIA ENGAGEMENT AND EVENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT FOR THE

OPERATIONALIZATION AND OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE AFRICA CREDIT RATING AGENCY (AfCRA)

1. Background

Pursuant to Decision EX.CL/Dec.1233–1264(XLIV) taken by the 44^th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council held in February 2024, which endorsed the Declaration of the 6^th Specialized Technical Committee (STC) of Ministers of Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, mandating the APRM to lead efforts toward establishing a private sector–driven, self-funded, and self-sustaining Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), with the support of African Multilateral Financial Institutions, significant progress has been made on implementing the decision to establish a privately-owned and privately-led Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA).

The AfCRA is being established as a strategic continental initiative to provide independent, credible, and context-sensitive sovereign, sub-sovereign, and corporate credit ratings within Africa. The AfCRA aims to strengthen Africa’s financial architecture, reduce information asymmetry, enhance transparency, and improve the continent’s access to global capital markets.

As the AfCRA transitions from concept to operationalization, there is a need for a comprehensive communication and media strategy to build credibility, manage stakeholder expectations, position the institution globally, and deliver a high-impact official launch.

As the implementing institution for the AfCRA’s establishment, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), seeks to recruit a qualified Communication, Media Engagement and Event Management Consultant to support its operationalization and launch.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to:

• Develop and implement a strategic communication and media engagement plan for the AfCRA’s operationalization.
• Position the AfCRA as a credible, independent, and technically robust credit rating institution.
• Coordinate and manage high-level media relations and stakeholder communications.
• Plan and execute a high-level official launch catered for continental and global financial audiences.

3. Scope of Work

The Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Strategic Communication Framework

1. Develop a comprehensive Communication and Branding Strategy for the AfCRA, including:
   • Core messaging and value proposition
   • Institutional narrative and positioning
   • Key communication pillars (credibility, independence, technical rigor, African ownership)
   • Stakeholder mapping and communication matrix
2. Develop:
   • An AfCRA communication toolkit (Frequently Asked Questions, fact sheets, key messages, talking points)
   • Media response guidelines
3. Support the development of:
   • A corporate profile brochure
   • Investor-friendly communication materials
   • Website content and a digital communication strategy

1. Media Engagement

1. Develop and implement a proactive media engagement strategy targeting:
   • African financial media
   • The international financial press
   • Development finance and capital markets publications
   • Multilateral and policy-focused media
2. Prepare:
   • Press releases (milestone-based)
   • Media advisories
   • Op-eds for leadership placement
   • Executive speeches and interview briefs
3. Organize:
   • Press briefings and media roundtables
   • One-on-one high-level media engagements
   • Editorial board meetings (where applicable)
4. Monitor and analyze media coverage and provide periodic media performance reports.

1. Stakeholder Communications

1. Develop targeted communication materials for:
   • Investors and financial institutions
   • African governments and Ministries of Finance
   • Central Banks and regulators
   • Development partners
   • Private sector stakeholders
2. Support outreach campaigns to build market confidence and institutional legitimacy.
3. Coordinate digital communication including LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and other relevant platforms.

1. Event Management – Official Launch of the AfCRA

1. Develop a detailed concept note for the launch of the AfCRA including:
   • Strategic objectives
   • The target audience
   • The format and program structure
   • Key speakers and protocol considerations
2. Provide end-to-end event management services, including:
   • Venue identification and coordination
   • Branding and visibility materials
   • Audio-visual production
   • Media accreditation and press management
   • Guest management and protocol coordination
   • Livestream and digital broadcast arrangements
3. Coordinate speech drafting and messaging for:
   • APRM leadership
   • AU officials
   • Development partners
   • Strategic financial stakeholders
4. Ensure high-quality documentation including:
   • Photography and videography
   • Post-event report
   • Media impact summary

4. Deliverables

The Consultant shall deliver:

1. An inception Report within 2 weeks of signing the contract
2. A comprehensive Communication & Media Strategy
3. An AfCRA Communication Toolkit
4. A launch Concept Note and Detailed Work Plan
5. A Media Engagement Calendar
6. Press Material (a minimum of 5 press releases and media briefs)
7. Successful execution of the AfCRA’s Official Launch
8. A Post-Launch Communication and Media Impact Report

5. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy will be undertaken over a period of 6 months, aligned with the AfCRA’s operationalization timeline and launch schedule.

6. Institutional Arrangements

The Consultant will report to the A.g Director of Governance and Specialized Reporting. All communication outputs shall be subject to review and approval by the designated AfCRA leadership at the APRM Continental Secretariat.

7. Required Qualifications and Experience

The Consultant must demonstrate:

1. Institutional Eligibility

• Must be a legally registered entity in Africa (proof of registration required).
• Demonstrated operational presence and experience working within African markets.

1. Technical Expertise and Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in strategic communications, media engagement, and high-level event management.
• Proven experience managing communications for financial institutions, development banks, sovereign entities, or multilateral organizations.
• Strong knowledge of the African credit rating industry, including familiarity with sovereign and corporate ratings processes, capital markets dynamics, and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Union institutional framework, governance architecture, and policy processes.
• Expertise in business communication and investor engagement, particularly in positioning financial institutions vis a vis domestic and international investors.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-level continental or international launch events.
• Excellent writing, editing, and executive speech drafting skills.
• Established relationships with African and international financial media.

8. Technical Evaluation Criteria

The Minimum technical score shall be 70%

The tender shall be awarded to the most technically suitable bidder subject to value for money.

9. Payment Schedule/Plan

10. Application Process

Interested applicants should submit the following:

1. A technical proposal outlining their understanding of the assignment, methodology, and work plan.
2. A financial proposal in USD including professional fees and any anticipated reimbursables.
3. An updated CV or company profile.
4. Samples of similar work or a portfolio of past campaigns.
5. Minimum of two references from recent clients.

11. General Information

Eligibility criteria, and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Union Procurement Manual Version dated April 2024. For clarification only interested consultants may obtain further information in writing to E-mail: tenderinfo@aprm-au.org , seven (7) days before the tender closing date. All responses shall be published on the APRM website.

12. Mode of submission

The Technical & Financial proposal alongside the relevant documents must be submitted via email at tender@aprm-au.org on or before 01 April 2026 at 12 noon (South Africa Time). The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of all costs and denominated in USD. Proposals shall be opened on 01 April 2026 at 12:00 noon (South Africa Time).

Submissions must be titled: PROCUREMENT NUMBER: APRM/GSR/01/02/2026

All applications must be in writing, accompanied by relevant documents as stipulated in the evaluation criteria and addressed to:

Project Coordinator

African Peer Review Mechanism

Private Bag x09, Halfway House, 1685

Physical Address: 230 15^th Street, Randjies Park, 1^st Floor

Midrand, South Africa

Tel: +27 11 256 3400/01/29

Fax: +2711 256 3456

The documents must be submitted online/virtually via email to tender@aprm-au.org 

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