Objectives

The primary objective is to establish a five-year panel of Deal Origination Partners to identify, qualify, develop, and advance commercially viable transactions that expand South African exports and foreign investments. The panel will support the client’s mandate by sourcing opportunities aligned with its risk appetite, facilitating access to political and commercial risk insurance, investment insurance, bond support, working-capital facilities, and related risk-sharing solutions. The initiative aims to enable South African contractors, exporters, and SMEs to secure international contracts while promoting regional industrialisation and economic diplomacy.

Scope

Appointed partners will operate on an ad hoc basis without guaranteed work, exclusivity, or automatic payment. Core responsibilities include:

• Proactively identifying and qualifying cross-border export and investment opportunities.
• Developing comprehensive, decision-ready opportunity packs for underwriting consideration.
• Facilitating consortium formation, capital mobilisation, and lender/buyer introductions.
• Providing market mapping, ecosystem development, and transaction progression support through agreed readiness milestones.
• Delivering market intelligence and risk analysis covering political, commercial, construction, currency, and ESG factors.

Services span both medium-to-long-term and short-term business, covering sectors such as infrastructure, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), commodities, and SME supply chains.

Technical Requirements

• Opportunity Submission Standards: Proposals must include mandatory fields detailing project identity, counterparties, financing gaps, South African benefit metrics, commercial viability, readiness status, risk snapshots, engagement evidence, and a structured 90-day action plan.
• Evaluation Thresholds: Bidders must achieve a minimum functional score of 75 out of 100 points, demonstrating verifiable transaction track records, client/counterparty references, data security protocols, and B-BBEE contribution levels.
• Compliance & Governance: Submission of standard bidding forms, proof of Central Supplier Database registration, tax compliance verification, and POPIA consent. Bidders are subject to due diligence, site inspections, and FICA-compliant screening for Prominent Influential Persons (PIPs).
• Contractual Framework: Annual performance monitoring, 30-day termination notice for cause, and strict conflict-of-interest and integrity disclosures. Joint ventures are permitted provided each entity submits independent B-BBEE certification.

Skills Requirements

• Deal Origination & Closing Expertise: Demonstrated history of originating and successfully closing cross-border transactions, with verifiable evidence of at least 50 completed deals across relevant sectors and jurisdictions.
• Network & Access: Credible, active relationships with international buyers, sponsors, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), commercial banks, and South African exporters/EPC contractors.
• Financial Structuring & Risk Analysis: Proficiency in structuring blended finance, political/commercial risk mitigation, syndication, and feasibility assessment, including financial modelling and ESG compliance.
• Operational & Compliance Capabilities: Robust internal controls, transparent conflict management systems, cyber/data security measures, and the ability to prepare bankable transaction documentation. Milestone-based fee proposals must be commercially competitive and aligned with governance standards.

Key Terms & Clarifications

Ad Hoc Panel Model: Appointment does not guarantee assignments. Work is distributed competitively via Request for Quotations (RFQs) among qualified panel members based on transaction fit and capacity.

Milestone-Based Remuneration: Fees or commissions are payable exclusively upon achievement of independently verified milestones, subject to full regulatory, audit, and tax compliance clearance.

Political & Commercial Risk Insurance (PRI/PCI): Financial instruments that protect investors and lenders against losses arising from government actions, currency inconvertibility, expropriation, war, or commercial default in host countries. These tools are used to de-risk South African overseas projects and attract private capital.

2SATIPP 2.0 Alignment: Refers to the South Africa-Africa Trade and Investment Promotion Programme, a strategic framework focused on boosting intra-African trade, infrastructure development, and sustainable investment flows through coordinated public-private partnerships.