📋 Tender Overview
Scope :
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a heads of terms agreement with Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) for the implementation of African Quality Assurance Centres (AQAC) projects in Benin and Gabon.
Under the agreement, Afreximbank will develop AQACs to offer conformity assessment services such as testing, inspection and certification services in Benin, Gabon and, possibly, other African countries within industrial parks developed by Arise IIP.
The aim of the AQACs is to ensure that ‘Made in Africa’ products comply with local and international health and safety standards and technical regulations.
The testing centres will focus on the value chains of the industrial parks, such as timber certification in the Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ), and textile and agro-processing in Benin’s Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ).
Arise IIP said the shareholding structure for the AQACs will be negotiated, incorporated into, and agreed upon between the parties in the binding contract following the conclusion of the feasibility study on the projects. This initiative represents a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with Afreximbank. It underscores our shared commitment to fostering industrialisation initiatives throughout the African continent. By implementing the African Quality Assurance Centre within Arise IIP’s zones in Gabon and Benin, we aim to bolster the capacity for high quality control and standardisation of ‘Made in Africa’ products.
The signing ceremony also featured the entry into force of a collaboration agreement between Malawi and ARISE IIP for the design, development and operation of two industrial parks and SEZs in Lilongwe and Blantyre.
These are aimed at closing the gap in industrial infrastructure to support Malawi's efforts to transform its economy and generate jobs through export manufacturing.
The two projects are expected to attract investment exceeding US$900 million and generate around 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in the country.
Afreximbank supported the government of Malawi to develop the projects from the early stages up to bankability, including providing financing and technical assistance.
