Call for Proposals: Sustainable Tourism Value Chain Initiative (Uganda)

Deadline: 14-Jul-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting applications for a consultancy to strengthen the Movable Asset-Based Lending (MABL) ecosystem in Uganda’s tourism sector. Supported by the European Union (EU), the assignment focuses on financial sector reform, credit reporting systems, secured transactions, and improving access to finance for tourism-related Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through an actionable policy and market expansion roadmap.

About the UNDP Consultancy

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking qualified professionals to undertake a consultancy aimed at improving Uganda’s Movable Asset-Based Lending (MABL) ecosystem. The assignment is part of a European Union-supported initiative that seeks to strengthen financial sector development and increase financing opportunities for businesses operating in the tourism industry.

The consultancy will assess existing legal, regulatory, institutional, and market frameworks while developing practical recommendations that enhance asset-based lending, financial inclusion, and sustainable tourism financing.

Objective of the Assignment

The primary objective is to assess and strengthen the Movable Asset-Based Lending (MABL) ecosystem within Uganda’s tourism sector.

The consultancy aims to:

Evaluate the existing legal and regulatory framework.
Strengthen credit reporting and secured transaction systems.
Improve access to finance for tourism MSMEs.
Assess institutional capacity for asset-based lending.
Develop policy reform recommendations.
Create a comprehensive roadmap for expanding MABL across Uganda’s tourism industry.
Promote financial inclusion and sustainable economic development.

What is Movable Asset-Based Lending (MABL)?

Movable Asset-Based Lending (MABL) is a financing model that allows businesses to obtain loans by using movable assets as collateral instead of land or buildings.

Examples of movable assets include:

Safari vehicles
Hotel furniture and equipment
ICT infrastructure
Machinery
Business inventory
Tourism receivables
Office equipment
Commercial vehicles

This financing approach helps businesses, particularly MSMEs, secure funding even when they do not own traditional real estate assets.

Key Focus Areas

The consultancy covers multiple areas of financial sector development and tourism finance.

Credit Reporting Frameworks

The consultant will evaluate:

Credit reporting systems
Credit bureau effectiveness
Credit information sharing
Regulatory compliance

Secured Transactions Systems

Assessment includes:

Secured transactions laws
Registration systems
Enforcement mechanisms
Legal effectiveness

Financial Sector Regulation

The assignment reviews:

Banking regulations
Lending policies
Financial supervision
Regulatory institutions

Credit Information Market Performance

The consultancy examines:

Market performance
Information accessibility
Data quality
Market efficiency

Movable Asset-Based Lending Practices

The consultant will assess:

Lending products
Collateral management
Risk assessment practices
Adoption among financial institutions

MSME Financing

Special attention will be given to improving financing for:

Small tourism businesses
Hotels
Tour operators
Travel agencies
Hospitality enterprises
Tourism entrepreneurs

Movable Asset Valuation Methodologies

The assignment evaluates valuation methods for:

Safari vehicles
Hotel equipment
ICT assets
Machinery
Business equipment

Reliable valuation systems improve lender confidence and increase financing opportunities.

Tourism Sector Financing Opportunities

The consultancy identifies financing opportunities across:

Hotels and lodges
Safari operators
Tourism transport services
Hospitality businesses
Tourism technology providers
Recreational tourism enterprises

Scope of Work

The consultancy consists of four integrated components.

1. Policy and Institutional Diagnostics

Activities include:

Reviewing existing legislation
Assessing institutional frameworks
Identifying policy gaps
Evaluating regulatory effectiveness

2. Market Assessment of Lending Practices

The consultant will:

Assess current lending practices
Review financial institution participation
Examine MSME access to finance
Identify market barriers

3. Evaluation of Asset Valuation Systems

This component focuses on:

Valuation standards
Asset appraisal methodologies
Institutional capacity
Quality assurance mechanisms

4. Tourism Sector Opportunity Analysis

The consultancy analyzes financing opportunities involving:

Safari vehicles
Hotel equipment
ICT systems
Tourism receivables
Other movable business assets

Key Deliverables

Expected outputs include:

Financial sector diagnostic report
Legal and regulatory assessment
Credit reporting evaluation
Secured transactions assessment
Market performance analysis
Tourism financing assessment
Institutional capacity analysis
Policy reform recommendations
Market expansion strategy
Actionable implementation roadmap

Who is Eligible?

The consultancy is suitable for professionals with expertise in financial sector development and policy analysis.

Preferred qualifications include experience in:

Financial sector reform
Banking and finance
Credit reporting systems
Secured transactions
Asset-based lending
Financial inclusion
MSME financing
Economic policy
Market research
Institutional assessments
Regulatory analysis
Tourism finance

Applicants should also demonstrate familiarity with Uganda’s financial and regulatory environment.

Required Skills

Successful applicants should possess:

Strong analytical skills
Policy research expertise
Report writing experience
Stakeholder engagement skills
Financial sector knowledge
Strategic planning abilities
Data analysis capabilities
Institutional assessment experience
Communication and presentation skills

Why This Consultancy Matters

Strengthening the Movable Asset-Based Lending ecosystem can significantly improve access to finance for businesses that lack traditional collateral.

The consultancy contributes to:

Financial inclusion
MSME development
Tourism sector growth
Increased lending opportunities
Better utilization of movable assets
Stronger financial institutions
Improved investment climate
Sustainable economic development

How the Consultancy Works

The assignment follows a structured approach.

Step 1: Review Existing Frameworks

Analyze Uganda’s legal, regulatory, and institutional environment governing credit reporting and secured transactions.

Step 2: Conduct Market Assessments

Evaluate lending practices among banks, financial institutions, and tourism-related MSMEs.

Step 3: Assess Asset Valuation Systems

Review methodologies used to value movable assets pledged as collateral.

Step 4: Engage Stakeholders

Consult with:

Government agencies
Financial regulators
Banks and lending institutions
Private sector organizations
Tourism businesses
MSMEs

Step 5: Develop Policy Recommendations

Prepare evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the lending ecosystem.

Step 6: Prepare the Expansion Roadmap

Develop a practical roadmap for expanding asset-based lending across Uganda’s tourism sector.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting generic policy recommendations without supporting analysis.
Demonstrating limited understanding of secured transactions.
Ignoring tourism-specific financing challenges.
Failing to include stakeholder engagement strategies.
Providing weak research methodologies.
Overlooking institutional capacity assessment.
Presenting unrealistic implementation plans.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Highlight previous experience in financial sector reforms.
Demonstrate expertise in credit reporting and secured transactions.
Showcase experience with MSME financing projects.
Include examples of policy development assignments.
Explain your research and analytical methodology clearly.
Emphasize stakeholder consultation experience.
Present practical and evidence-based recommendations.

Semantic SEO Keywords

Relevant search terms include:

UNDP consultancy
Uganda financial sector development
Movable Asset-Based Lending
MABL Uganda
Tourism finance Uganda
MSME financing
Asset-based lending
Credit reporting systems
Secured transactions
Financial inclusion
Credit information market
Policy reform consultancy
Tourism sector financing
European Union funded project
Financial regulation Uganda

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of this UNDP consultancy?

The consultancy aims to strengthen Uganda’s Movable Asset-Based Lending ecosystem by improving policies, regulations, financial systems, and access to finance for tourism-related MSMEs.

2. What is Movable Asset-Based Lending (MABL)?

MABL is a financing model that enables businesses to obtain loans using movable assets such as vehicles, machinery, hotel equipment, inventory, or receivables as collateral.

3. Which sector is the primary focus of the assignment?

The consultancy primarily focuses on Uganda’s tourism sector while supporting broader financial sector reforms and financial inclusion initiatives.

4. Who will the consultant work with?

The consultant will engage government agencies, financial institutions, regulators, private sector organizations, tourism businesses, and MSMEs throughout the assignment.

5. What are the expected outcomes of the consultancy?

The assignment will produce financial sector assessments, policy recommendations, market analyses, valuation reviews, and a comprehensive roadmap for expanding asset-based lending.

6. Why is this consultancy important for MSMEs?

Many MSMEs cannot access traditional loans because they lack real estate collateral. Strengthening MABL enables these businesses to secure financing using movable business assets, supporting growth and investment.

7. What expertise should applicants have?

Applicants should have experience in financial sector development, banking, policy analysis, secured transactions, credit reporting systems, financial inclusion, market research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic reporting.

Conclusion

The UNDP consultancy offers an important opportunity to strengthen Uganda’s financial sector by improving Movable Asset-Based Lending (MABL) within the tourism industry. Through policy reform, regulatory assessment, market analysis, stakeholder engagement, and institutional strengthening, the assignment will help expand access to finance, support tourism-related MSMEs, promote financial inclusion, and create a sustainable roadmap for long-term economic growth.

For more information, visit UNDP.