CALL FOR PROPOSALS: SOMALIA WOMEN’S MARKET ACCESS OPEN INNOVATION CHALLENGE

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: OPEN INNOVATION CHALLENGE

TITLE: SOMALIA WOMEN’S MARKET ACCESS OPEN INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Background and Context

The Open Innovation Challenge is a pivotal initiative designed to enhance agricultural innovation and empower entrepreneurs in Somalia to bring ideas to solve the challenges Somali women face in accessing markets. Women in rural Somalia play a crucial role in agriculture but face significant barriers to market access due to inadequate infrastructure, limited financial resources, limited access to agricultural land, systemic challenges, and cultural constraints. These challenges restrict their economic participation, limiting opportunities for women-led agribusinesses to scale and thrive. Additionally, women entrepreneurs struggle with access to financing, business development services, and digital financial tools, further widening the gender gap in economic empowerment.

To address these challenges, the Rural Livelihoods Resilience Programme (RLRP) and the Somalia Food Systems Resilience Project (S-FSRP), implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) with support respectively from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Bank Group, are committed to strengthening women’s economic participation through entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and innovative solutions. This includes improving access to credit, enhancing market linkages, and providing capacity-building initiatives to equip women with the skills needed to grow their businesses and adapt to market demands. The program also leverages digital financial services to increase financial accessibility for women, even those without internet access, while fostering community engagement and policy advocacy to create an inclusive economic environment.

The Center of Innovation and Agropreneurship Development (CIAD) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI), in collaboration with RLRP and S-FSRP, is launching the Somalia Women’s Market Access Open Innovation Challenge 2025. The goal is to identify, support, and scale innovative market access solutions that empower women agropreneurs.

Challenge Objective

The Somalia Women’s Market Access Open Innovation Challenge seeks entrepreneurs and businesses that can:

Develop scalable solutions to enhance women's access to agricultural markets.

Improve the competitiveness of women-led agribusinesses across different value chains.

Leverage technology and innovation to create sustainable market linkages.

Promote financial inclusion and investment readiness for women agripreneurs

Innovation Approach & Key Principles

This challenge applies IFAD’s Innovation Model for Innovation Challenges, incorporating the following:

Women-Centered Design – Solutions must be specifically designed for women agropreneurs, addressing their unique challenges, needs, and barriers to market access through inclusive, user-driven approaches. They should also enhance access to better knowledge, skills, markets, and financing, particularly in rural areas

Lean Canvas Approach – Applicants must submit a simple, one-page plan outlining the problem they aim to solve, their proposed solution, key success indicators (metrics), and the unique value of their idea. This structured approach ensures a clear and flexible process for refining and validating innovative solutions.

Iterative Prototyping & Validation – Solutions should undergo progressive testing and refinement through stage-gate validation, ensuring feasibility, effectiveness, and adaptability before scaling.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) – Proposals led by women entrepreneurs or benefiting at least 50% female participants will receive priority consideration, promoting gender equity and inclusive economic growth.

Partnerships & Scalability – Solutions should demonstrate strong collaboration potential with local organizations, financial institutions, and technology hubs to enhance impact, sustainability, and scalability.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Organizational Structure – Applicants must be legally registered women-led business or at least have 30% women in the leadership team. Individual applications will not be considered. Registration of at least six months or more will be considered an added advantage during the selection process. Please note that no administrative or start-up financing will be provided under this challenge. Therefore, businesses should already have a basic operational structure and a demonstrated understanding of key business functions.

Gender Inclusion – Women-led enterprises and/or enterprises with at least 30% women in the leadership team will be considered, promoting gender diversity and inclusive economic participation.

Geographic Focus – Applicants can be based anywhere in Somalia but must have operational experience in Southwest State and Jubaland. The proposed solutions should be tested and scaled up in the five indicated districts across Jubaland State (Kismayo & Bardhere) and Southwest State (Afgoye, Celbarde and Baidoa).

Technology Readiness & Prototype Validation – Applicants must have a validated prototype or functioning model at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher. TRL 4 indicates that the proof-of-concept technology has been developed, and multiple component pieces have been tested together. Higher TRL levels are also accepted and advantageous, with anything above TRL 4 receiving extra points.

Commitment to Scaling – Applicants must demonstrate a clear plan and capacity to scale their solution within 12-24 months,ensuring long-term impact and sustainability.

Submission Details

The Center for Innovation and Agropreneurship Development (CIAD) invites you to submit your application through the designated form using the link below:

https://ciad.moa.gov.so/e/apply

or scan this QR Code:

The deadline for submission is August 31st, 2025, at 5:00 PM Mogadishu time.

Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

For any inquiries regarding this call, you may contact CIAD, Agribusiness Department or RLRP at:

[email protected]

[email protected]