Expression of Interest For Entrepreneurship Finance Initiative Enhancing Financial Inclusion

Expression of Interest are invited for The World Bank Women Entrepreneurship Finance Initiative Enhancing Financial Inclusion in Nepal Nepals socio-economic development is shaped by persistent disparities in human development outcomes across caste, ethnicity, and gender. Women face significant barriers to economic participation. The countrys sex ratio stands at 95.59 males per 100 females, and between 2019/20 and 2021/22, approximately 10 percent of women sought employment abroad due to limited entrepreneurial opportunities at home. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in Nepals economy, yet 52 percent of women-owned small businesses struggle to access financing, and only 13.4 percent of women secure loans from formal financial institutions. Barriers include insufficient collateral, limited credit history, and inadequate financial literacy. Addressing these challenges requires gender-responsive decision-making across public policies, social initiatives, and private enterprises. The Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi, Annex 1) aims to address financial and nonfinancial barriers faced by women-led SMEs (WSMEs) by mobilizing resources to enhance access to finance, build capacity, and strengthen market linkages. Nepal has volunteered to endorse the WeFi with the goal of closing the finance gaps facing WSMEs and driving a lasting shift in how women-led businesses are perceived, supported, and financed globally. A key component of this effort is the enhancement of sex-disaggregated data to identify disparities, inform targeted interventions, and align with the forthcoming National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS). In coordination with the Financial Inclusion and Consumer Protection Division (FICPD) of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) and the Nepal Bankers Association (NBA), the World Bank aims to enhance gender-disaggregated data collection and analytics that will contribute to the World Banks We-Fi Annual Report (Annex 3) by tracking progress globally and in Nepal against defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs, see Annex 2), while showcasing innovations and identifying persistent challenges. Scope of Work and Deliverables The World Bank seeks to engage a consulting firm with proven expertise in financial inclusion, data analytics, and regulatory frameworks to provide best practices on enhancing sex-disaggregated financial data reporting in Nepal. The firm selected will undertake the following tasks: Data Collection Framework: Assess the current data collection systems used by Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs), identify gaps, and recommend additional indicators to improve reporting of sex-disaggregated data. Financial Inclusion Dashboards: Provide technical advisory services and share global best practices to enhance functionality of financial inclusion dashboard. Policy and Directive Review: Review existing directives and policies relevant to sex-disaggregated data collection, and provide recommendations aligned with international best practices to improve gender-responsive financial reporting. Stakeholder Consultation: Facilitate consultations with WSMEs to gather insights on their financial needs and challenges, ensuring We-Fi data initiatives are responsive and aligned to the aligned to the lived experiences of women entrepreneurs. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/5279/view.html

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