Introduction
ActionAid Zambia (AAZ) is part of the ActionAid Federation- a global movement working towards social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication. Our vision is that of a just, equitable, and sustainable Zambia where every person enjoys freedom from poverty and oppression, living in dignity.
Guided by our 2023–2028 Country Strategy Paper, ActionAid Zambia prioritizes civic participation, feminist alternatives, and economic justice. Within this framework, AAZ works to advance women’s rights and inclusive governance of natural resources, with a particular focus on strengthening the agency of women, young people, and communities living in poverty and exclusion.
Background
Co-Mining: United in Responsible Copper and Cobalt Mining
ActionAid Zambia, together with the Small-Scale Mining Association of Zambia (SSMAZ) and the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), is currently implementing the project Co-Mining: United in Responsible Copper and Cobalt Mining funded by the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM).
This project aims to improve the livelihoods, working conditions, and market access of 5,000 artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) in the Copperbelt and Northwestern provinces in Zambia. Running from September 2024 to August 2026, the initiative establishes operational support centres (Mineral Testing Plants) in Kitwe and Kasempa to help artisanal miners formalize operations, access training, and connect to formal markets.
The project promotes and trains ASM miners in environmental sustainability, health and safety, and value addition. Special attention is given to women miners through gender-responsive training, protective gear, and the formation of Women Watch Committees to prevent gender-based violence. While these interventions are critical, women in ASM continue to face structural barriers including limited access to finance, land rights, equipment, formal markets, and decision-making spaces. Addressing these barriers is essential to ensuring that project interventions lead to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable outcomes.
The Co-Mining project also focuses on advocacy towards governments and private actors to improve the rights of ASM miners and them to be considered as formal and valuable supply chain actors. In addition, the project seeks to strengthen linkages between ASM miners, buyers, and manufacturers, while promoting responsible sourcing practices and improved supply chain transparency. Despite ongoing programme efforts, many ASM interventions remain dependent on donor funding and lack clear pathways for long-term sustainability and scale. There is therefore a need to develop viable business models and investment strategies that can sustain and expand programme impacts and outputs(Mineral Testing Plants) beyond the project lifecycle.
As part of this project, ActionAid Zambia seeks to develop Sustainable (Gender Responsive) Business Models and Investment Strategies for Scaling ASM Programme Activities in Zambia to ensure the long-term sustainability and scalability of interventions.
Context and relevance
Artisanal and small-scale mining plays a significant role in Zambia’s economy and rural livelihoods. However, the sector faces persistent challenges including limited access to finance, weak business structures, low value addition, and restricted access to formal markets. These challenges are further compounded by systemic gender inequalities that disproportionately limit women’s participation, productivity, and economic returns within the sector.
While the project is addressing some of these constraints through operational support centres and capacity building, there remains a critical gap in ensuring that these interventions are financially sustainable and scalable.
Most ASM-related Programme initiatives remain dependent on donor funding and lack structured pathways to attract private sector investment. At the same time, there is growing interest from responsible investors, manufacturers, and buyers seeking reliable, traceable, and responsibly sourced minerals.
This consultancy is therefore critical to bridge the gap between development programming and market-based solutions, by designing sustainable business models and identifying investment opportunities that can support the expansion of ASM services, improve market access, and enhance value addition, while also ensuring that artisanal and small-scale miners (especially women) are meaningfully integrated into policy reform processes to create a more enabling and inclusive regulatory environment for the sector.
Aim of the consultancy
The aim of this consultancy is to develop viable and sustainable business models and investment strategies that can support and scale up ASM programme activities, including operational support centres, market linkages, and ASM enterprises, while attracting financial capital from relevant investors and facilitating access to public financing mechanisms, such as the ASM Fund and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to enhance sustainability and alignment with national policy frameworks.
All proposed models and strategies must be gender-responsive and explicitly address the structural barriers that limit women’s participation and economic empowerment within the ASM sector.
Scope
a. Business model development
- Develop and assess at least 4 viable business models for scaling ASM programme activities.
- Analyze operational and financial structures required for each model.
- Identify revenue streams and conduct financial viability analysis.
- Ensure that all business models are inclusive and gender-responsive, clearly demonstrating how women can participate in, benefit from, and lead within each model
b. Investment and financing analysis
- Identify and map potential investors and financing sources
- Explore and identify available public financing mechanisms
-Analyze financing mechanisms such as blended finance and offtake agreements.
-Develop investment strategies and identify risks.
- Assess gender-specific barriers to accessing finance and propose inclusive financing solutions tailored to women in ASM
c. Market linkage and scaling strategy
- Assess opportunities to strengthen linkages between ASM miners, buyers, and manufacturers.
- Develop a scaling roadmap for expanding programme activities.
- Identify constraints and opportunities affecting women’s participation in market systems and value chains
d. Development of investment-ready outputs
- Develop at least 1–2 investment concept notes or pitch decks.
- Provide value propositions for potential investors.
- Articulate clear value propositions for investors, including the business case for investing in gender-inclusive and women-led ASM enterprises
Recommendations
Provide actionable and gender-responsive recommendations on sustainable business models, investment strategies, financial access, market access, and scaling pathways.
Methodology
The consultant will apply a mixed-methods approach, including desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, stakeholder consultations, and targeted field visits.
The methodology must be gender-responsive and ensure:
- Meaningful inclusion of women and other marginalised groups in data collection. (Target sample to include at least 40% women)
- Use of sex-disaggregated data
- Analysis of gender-specific constraints and opportunities
- Application of gender-sensitive tools and approaches throughout the research process
- Use of robust quantitative and qualitative data analysis tools such as Excel, SPSS, STATA, Power BI, NVivo or thematic content analysis matrices.
Deliverables and Timeline
Deliverable
Description
Timeline
1. Inception Report
Detailed methodology, tools for data collection, and 3-month workplan
Due by 29TH May 2026
2. Draft Business Models Report
Initial analysis, proposed business models, financing mechanisms, and preliminary findings and recommendations
Due by 26TH June 2026
3. Validation Workshop
Presentation and validation of findings and proposed models with key stakeholders
Between 30TH June-4 July 2026
4. Draft Final Report
Revised report incorporating feedback from validation workshop
Due by 11th July 2026
5. Final Report
Comprehensive report with finalized business models, financial analysis, and investment strategies
Due by 15th August 2026
6. Investment Briefs
1–2 investment concept notes or pitch decks
Submitted together with final report on 15th August 2026
Qualifications and Competencies
The consultant should have the following qualifications:
a. A master’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Mining Engineering, Development Studies, or a related discipline.
b. At least 7 years of demonstrated professional experience in business development, investment analysis, Small Medium Enterprises (SME) financing, extractive sector development, or related fields.
c. Proven experience working in artisanal and small-scale mining or extractive sector value chains, with a strong understanding of market systems, supply chains, and sector dynamics.
d. Demonstrated experience in integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) into economic analysis, programme design, or investment frameworks
e. Demonstrated experience in developing sustainable business models, financial strategies, or investment frameworks, preferably in resource-based or informal sectors.
f. Experience engaging with private sector actors, financial institutions, or investors, including structuring or advising on financing mechanisms such as blended finance, offtake agreements, or public-private partnerships, is highly desirable.
g. Strong analytical, financial modelling, and report writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality, practical, and actionable outputs.
h. Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with experience facilitating consultations with diverse actors, including communities, government, private sector, and civil society.
Application and deadline
Submit CV, technical proposal, and financial proposal via email at info.zambia@actionaid.org by close of business, 30th April 2026.
