Interview with Maha Al Gargawi, Expo 2020 Dubai spokesperson
Can you brief us about Expo 2020 in general and what it tries to achieve?
World Expos are a celebration of the human spirit. They are global events that illustrate the best of humanity, where the nations of the world come together to showcase the best-in-class solutions that drive human progress and tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems. Expo 2020 Dubai is proud to be following this 170-year old tradition by putting on the largest event ever staged in the Arab world. Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia (MEASA) region. Importantly, it is the first mega-event of its kind since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expo 2020 is an opportunity for the world to convene again in a spirit of hope. By bringing together 192 countries, it is a timely reminder of the power of global cooperation and the importance of creating a forum for sharing solutions from a local to global scale to build a better future for all.
How can Africa play a leading or active role in Expo 2020?
Africa is the youngest, fastest-growing continent on the planet. The world’s population is predicted to rise from 7.7 billion in 2019 to almost 11 billion by 2100 – with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for most of the growth over the coming decade. The UAE and Africa have a long-standing, flourishing relationship, and Expo 2020 Dubai will offer an unprecedented platform for African countries to collaborate and make connections that will drive their progress and prosperity.
The African Union has its own pavilion at Expo 2020, one that showcases the continent’s promise and aspirations as reflected in Agenda 2063, which addresses agriculture, transport, science and technology and health. Expo 2020’s subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability go to the heart of the continent’s future aspirations: ensuring jobs, education and healthcare for all; offering easy and equitable access to transport and ideas; and balancing development with preserving the environment for future generations.
How many African countries are participating in the Expo 2020? And how are the organizers helping these countries?
For the first time in the history of World Expos, every African nation is participating, each with its own pavilion. Expo 2020 offers an unrivalled opportunity for all countries to reach an international audience, seek investments and forge new partnerships that will open up new markets and reinvigorate their economies.
What do you think Africa can offer to the world?
The world can learn a lot from how Africa embraces its accomplishments and overcomes its challenges – ranging from the global health pandemic to climate change, sustainable food supply, and equal access to the basic human rights of education, digitalisation and healthcare.
Every country is also showcasing its own unique culture, both at its pavilion and during the country’s national day celebrations at Expo 2020. The continent’s diverse culinary traditions is on display at Alkebulan, the African dining hall, where seven world-renowned chefs are bringing their latest creations to the table. Alkebulan, the African dining hall, where seven world-renowned chefs are bringing their latest creations to the table.
Expo’s extensive arts programme includes Afrobeat music, Senegal’s Ballet National and Angolan percussionists, while individual Country Pavilions are highlighting everything from eco-tourism to space exploration. Visitors to Expo 2020 can also learn how Expo is supporting many grass-roots innovations via its Expo Live initiative and Global Best Practice Programme. These include a tele-medicine platform that screens and diagnoses women in rural Cameroon for breast and cervical cancers; and a social enterprise in Rwanda that is improving the lives of female coffee farmers and their families through barista training and the promotion of local coffee consumption.
And what do you think Africa will gain from Expo 2020?
Over its six-month duration, Expo 2020 will welcome more than 200 participants, with many – including individual countries, educational institutions, trade authorities and multilateral organisations – eager to widen and deepen their ties with Africa. To enable this, Expo 2020 offers a platform for Africa to share its plans and achievements, seek investments and solutions to its challenges, forge new relationships across the continent and across the globe, and continue its shift from donor-dependency to productive partnerships.
All African countries will also be able to take advantage of extensive business engagement opportunities, from seminars and summits, to networking and product launches that will take place across the Expo calendar. An example of this is the Global Business Forum Africa which was held on 13-14 October and brought the trade and investment community together to explore bilateral trade opportunities between Dubai and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Expo 2020 will also build on initiatives such as the UAE’s USD 500-million Consortium for Africa, which was launched last year and is focused on youth and digitalisation.
How do the organisers cope up with protocols of COVID?
Expo 2020 takes the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone visiting and working at Expo 2020 Dubai is a priority every single day of the event, and our robust measures follow the latest guidance from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the World Health Organization.
Visitors must provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test to order to gain entry to the event. Expo also strongly encourages visitors to maintain social distancing.- Sanitisation stations are installed across the site and face-mask wearing is mandatory.. The site undergoes regular deep cleaning and also includes specialised medical facilities, including provisions for rapid COVID-19 testing.
The UAE has one of the world’s highest vaccination rates, with more than 20 million doses administered, as of October 2021. All Expo 2020 and International Participant staff, volunteers, contractors and service providers must be vaccinated.
Ethiopia ready to showcase its ancient past and future potential at Expo 2020 Dubai
Ethiopia has a platform to shine at Expo 2020 Dubai with millions of visitors expected to visit its pavilion during the event’s six-month long celebration of the best humanity has to offer.
Under the theme ‘Land of Origins and Opportunities’, the pavilion is showcasing the economic potential of Africa’s second most populous country and its ongoing role as a living hub driving and facilitating connections between the African continent and the world.
Throughout its history, Ethiopia has successfully maintained its originality, culture and values – all qualities that will be on display during the 182 days of Expo.
For the first time in the 170-year history of World Expos, every African nation will participate, each with its own pavilion, giving countries such as Ethiopia an unprecedented opportunity to engage in dialogues to overcome the common challenges facing humankind and forge new relationships with the rest of the world.
Visitors to the Ethiopia Pavilion will embark on a journey that begins — as humankind’s did — in a dim cave, where they will meet a replica of Lucy the oldest human fossil ever discovered. The discovery of the 3.2-million-year-old Australopithecus in 1974 rewrote the history of human evolution and earned Ethiopia the reputation of being the “cradle of humanity”.
After highlighting the country’s cultural richness, heritage, arts and ethnic diversity, the journey culminates in the vibrant present focussing on Ethiopia’s strengths in sectors such as agro-industry, manufacturing, mining and power generation. To cap off their journey, visitors will be welcomed to a classic Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
The first World Expo ever held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region has as its theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ based on the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas coming together in inspiring new ways.
The Ethiopia pavilion is situated in the Sustainability District, one of Expo 2020’s three Thematic Districts. Expo 2020’s subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability go to the heart of Africa’s future aspirations: ensuring jobs, education and healthcare for all; offering easy and equitable access to transport and ideas; and balancing development with preserving the environment for future generations.
A total of 192 countries are taking part in a Expo 2020 – a 182-day celebration of breakthrough ideas, innovations and technologies that are shaping the future of our planet.
As one of many firsts at Expo 2020, the African Union hosts its own pavilion. The pavilion is a colourful arena devoid of national borders that will highlight the continent’s vast potential and ambitions, reflected in its Agenda 2063 aspirations that address agriculture, transport, science and technology, and health.
Visitors to Expo 2020 can enjoy the flavours of Africa at Alkebulan, a unique dining hall where seven of the world’s top African Chefs blaze a trail for the continent’s diverse cuisine. Ethiopian injera flat bread will feature at Shoebox Bakery by Mame Sow, which bills itself as the ultimate pan-African bakery experience, spanning both sweet and savoury items.
The youngest, fastest-growing continent on the planet is brimming with promise. How Africa embraces its accomplishments and overcomes its challenges – ranging from the global health pandemic to climate change, sustainable food supply, and equal access to the basic human rights of education, digitalisation and healthcare – will have enormous implications worldwide.
To help overcome these challenges Expo 2020 gives countries such as Ethiopia access to its Global Best Practice Programme which spotlights projects providing impactful, sustainable solutions to some of our biggest challenges. Among the projects being implemented in Ethiopia is the WADI Solar Powered Water Filtration project, which is providing low-cost, solar-based solutions to prevent water-borne diseases.
Another Expo 2020 initiative benefitting Ethiopia is Expo Live, a USD 100 million programme that supports projects offering creative solutions to urgent challenges that impact people’s lives, help preserve the planet – or both. In Ethiopia, Expo Live is funding a tele-medicine programme aimed at overcoming the shortage of medical specialists by helping local radiologists become trainers. The program is being implemented through Ver2, an UAE-based integrated digital medicine services company that uses intelligent computing to solve challenges in the delivery of healthcare.
Many of Expo’s participating nations are eager to widen and deepen their ties with Africa, and Expo 2020 is a global forum where countries such as Ethiopia can share their plans and achievements, seek investments and solutions to their challenges, as well as forge new relationships across the continent and across the globe.
Expo 2020’s Opening Ceremony on 30 September 2021 heralded the start of this incredible opportunity. From 1 October 2021, the UAE is jointly laying the foundations for a cleaner, safer, healthier and more prosperous tomorrow. The participation of Ethiopia and other African countries at Expo 2020 can only help bring that exciting, optimistic new future a big step closer.
Request for Proposal to develop a five-year strategic plan to Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company (OCSSCO) transitioning to Siinqii Bank
BACKGROUND
For companies to grow and prosper, planning is an important process that guides from where the company is right now to where it wants to be in the future. The dynamism nature of the business environment is pausing business to step back and think strategically on how to cope up with the everchanging business dynamics and proactively surpass any hurdles that may encounter on the way. As competition in any business environment is becoming stiff, planning strategically is the key that will for sure help any business ensure their exitance and prosperity and hence companies must have strategic plan for each of their respective business that is realistic, measurable and achievable.
The financial sector in Ethiopia is growing although as the pace that is not as expected. It is inevitable for the companies to develop and have a road map that clearly indicates and be measured for taking the company to the next level. Financial institutions play a critical role in economic development and job creation. The most productive youth force is currently facing lack of access to finance which mainly is attributed not targeting the youth in their strategies.
BRIDGES PROGRAMME
First Consult (FC)/Development Alternative Inc (DAI) is contracted to provide management and technical support services to Mastercard Foundation under the BRIDGES programme to support the creation of close to 600,000 youth jobs (80% women) and 15,000 MSMEs, with 300,000 unemployed youth trained through supporting IP job creation initiative and market linkage between IPs and MSMEs.
The Government of Ethiopia recognizes the critical role played by Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in creating job opportunities especially for young people and women, as well as for boosting national income and wealth that is important in igniting industrial transformation and private sector development. This is also well articulated in the Growth and Transformation Plan which prioritizes and identifies the development of micro and small businesses as catalyst for promoting industrial development. However, issues such as A2F, premises, market and linkage issues remain a challenge. To address the aforementioned the A2F issue, BRIDGES Programme partners with many Financial Institutions (FIs) to ensure that FIs received the necessary Technical Assistances that will enable the FIs to cater the wider group of MSMEs that are youth focused. One of BRIDGES programme partner is Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company (OCSSCO) which now transitioning to Bank which BRIDGES aims to support the institution by providing technical assistances such as trainings, preparation of strategic plan, enterprise development etc… that to enable MSME development, job creation and access to finance to the young men and women.
Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company (OCSSCO)
Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company (OCSSCO) within its 24 years of operation and services, had prepared four medium term (five years) Strategic Business Plan (SBP) documents to lead its growth through deliberate roadmap.
On 24th May 2021, OCSSCO was given permission to transform to Siinqee Bank to provide both the microfinance and banking services and is currently under licensing process. Therefore, it is mandatory to have appropriate Strategic Business Plan (SBP) to carry out the intended businesses through strategic roadmap.
For Siinqee Bank, the fundamental decision to develop new strategic plan were emanated from both from internal & external factors. The internal force was the demands of major re-examination of the current growth attained. For the last few four years, the existing growth or progress hasn’t been showing satisfactory progress. The existing growth is almost increasing at a minor progress with all aspects.
The other internal force is the acquisition of technology ‘core banking system’ which initiates the reappraisal of OCSSCO to transfer to banking business to carry out the business in modern way so as to be competent in the market and compatible with the fast-changing business environments.
The outside force was from the interest of regional and federal governments. The financial sector in Ethiopia is growing although as the pace that is not as expected. The interest of regional and federal governments to increase the number of financial institutions so as to realize the intended financial inclusion (the availability and equality of opportunities to access financial services by which individuals and businesses can access appropriate, affordable, and timely financial products and services) in the region and as well as in the country.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this assignment is to assist one of the BRIDGES programme partners Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company (OCSSCO) now transitioning to Siinqii Bank develop its first five years Strategic Plan (2022-2026). The main objective for supporting OCSSCO is mainly facilitate MSME development, job creation and creating access to finance access to finance.
SCOPES
The scope of the study is expected to conduct all pertinent assessments both internal and external environments. Internally, it should try to assess all internal stakeholders, fundamental Issues (Mission, Vision and Values), institutional profile, governance, the current organizational structure, each working units at all layers. Externally, it should conduct survey on global economy and banking industry, nationally, macro and micro-environments analysis, competition & competitors’, collaborators, market and marketing and customers’ analysis in general.
SPECIFIC TASK
The firm will be responsible:
- Review the existing Strategic plan (OCSSCO 4th SBP), vision and mission statements, values and develop SBP which integrates microfinance services and banking business);
- Undertake stakeholder analysis and other analysis listed under scope of the intended SBP;
- Through a consultative process and application of an appropriate tool of analysis, identify focus areas and develop strategic objectives and key result areas for the same;
- Review the institutional capacity, organizational set-up, financial and administrative systems against the TA mandate and the identified strategic objectives and key result areas; and make recommendations, if any;
- Activities in the development of a five-years Strategic Plan with emphasis on roles and responsibilities
- Review all relevant primary data supportive to the strategic plan development;
- Conduct deep environmental scanning to identify themes and key issues that will become strategic drivers for the next five years;
- Indicative contents may include in executive summary, SWOT, KPIs, Target Customers and products, Industry Analysis, Marketing and new product development plans, HR and development plans, Operation plans, Financial projections, Technology (core-banking, E-payment), Indicators and time frame.
- Propose appropriate strategies for achieving the strategic objectives and key results;
- Develop a Results and Resources Framework for the plan period;
- Hold stakeholder meeting(s) to validate the draft Strategic Plan;
- Finally, based on findings of each phase, the consultants will triangulate information from the various strategy development processes and presentation with wider stakeholders and prepare the final draft.
- Finalize Strategic plan and submit
- Any other tasks to be determined;
DELIVERABLES
The following reports will be required as deliverables:
- An inception report that outlines how it will accomplish the consultancy objective, specific methodology and work plan, Staffing and management, work plan: detailed timeline of activities and meetings, outline of the table of content, deliverables.
- Draft report: The report is expected to address the specific deliverables in specific activity section. Presentation is required at this stage.
- Final report
- Power point presentation out of the final report
QUALIFICATION
Firm experience of at least 10 years, that specialized in providing strategic consulting services especially to the financial sector players.
This advisory service requires three consultants for successful delivery of the 5 years strategic plan. The following qualifications are required:
- One key senior expert with management, finance and or economics background with more than 10 years of high-level advisory experience preferably with financial sector background (Minimum Master Degree)
- One Senior consultant with MFI expertise and a background of advisory services to MFIs and or previous working experience (Minimum Master Degree)
- One data analyst as a support for data analytics
WORKING ARRANGEMENT
Siinqee Bank will assign Senior Personnel to assist the development process and for any information. The MFI senior management will be involved through out the process of the engagement.
Documents
In response to this TOR, qualified companies should submit both technical (maximum 10 pages, CVs could be annexed) and financial proposals (Maximum 3 pages) in the following structure:
Technical Proposal Structure
- Organization Track Record and Relevant Experience
- Description of Technical Approach, Methodology, and Work Plan for Performing the Assignment
- Team Composition, Assignment, and Key Experts CV’s
Financial Proposal
The firm should submit the total budget in the proposal with detail breakdown including applicable government taxes. All costs should be stated in ETB. Professional fees should be delineated to person-days.
Clarification/ Contact person
For any clarification, please contact Henok Tenna at htenna@firstconsultet.com
Submission of the proposal
The Offeror shall prepare both the “Technical” and “Financial” Proposal to the following email address bids4@firstconsultet.com
Deadline for submission of proposals
Applicants should email their proposal (technical and financial) to bids4@firstconsultet.com with the relevant information detailed in technical and financial section of a proposal. The subject of the email should say Strategic Planning Development, BRIDGES Project. Proposals must be received no later than no later than 5 PM on 04 November 2021.
