External Auditor for the entire Component 1 of the EMERGe project

Project: Empowering Microfinance and Enterprises for Resilience and Growth

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

COUNTRY: Afghanistan

NAME OF PROJECT: Empowering Microfinance and Enterprises for Resilience and Growth (EMERGE)

CONSULTING SERVICES: Consultancy Services for External Audit – Component 1 (ACGF’s Respective Part)

Reference NO: ACGF EMERGE C-22

ARTF Grant No. TF0C4421

Afghan Credit Guarantee Foundation (ACGF) has received a Grant from the International Development Association (IDA), World Bank, and intends to apply part of the grant proceeds to make payments under the contract for Consultancy Services for External Audit of Component 1 (ACGF's Respective Part) of the EMERGE Project.

1. Project Background

The EMERGE Project aims to support the demand for and supply of finance for micro and small enterprises in Afghanistan. The project is an important first step in facilitating private sector-led job creation and growth through small businesses. The project’s primary beneficiaries will be the microfinance providers and their borrowers (both existing and future), as well as micro and small enterprises.

The project has two components: Component 1: Reviving Microfinance Providers (MFPs), implemented by ACGF; and Component 2: Building a Pipeline of Bankable Micro and Small Enterprises, implemented by AKF USA/AKF-AFG.

As the Project Implementing Entity for Part 1, ACGF is responsible for the following activities:

• Component 1(a) – Conditional Capital Support Grants (CSGs) to Microfinance Providers (MFPs) to support MFPs in rebuilding their capital base and cleaning their balance sheets.

• Component 1(b) – Operationalization Grant to CAEDO to support the Community and Enterprise Development Authority (CAEDO) in enhancing operational efficiencies and capacities.

• Component 1(c) – ACGF Institutional Capacity and Project Management covering direct project management, monitoring, evaluation, and coordination costs.

3. Scope of Work

The audit will be conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA), as issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) of the International Federation of Accountants. The auditor shall express a conclusion with reasonable assurance as to whether, in all material respects, the applicable criteria are met. The scope includes, but is not limited to, compliance with ISA 800 (Special Purpose Audit Engagements) and addresses the following key aspects:

a) Verification that funds have been used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement;

b) Assessment of project financial reports for agreement with underlying books of accounts;

c) Evaluation of procurement practices for goods and services;

d) Review of allocation of common costs and examination of supporting documents for all project activities;

e) Comments and observations on the accounting records, systems, and controls examined during the audit;

The Audit Report shall include:

• Project name and Grant Agreement number (ARTF Grant No. TF0C4421).

• Identification of ACGF’s project expenditures and total income, with details of Assets and Liabilities in the balance sheet.

• The subject matter of the engagement.

• The financial reporting framework applied.

• The assurance standard used (ISA 800).

• A statement on reasonable assurance regarding whether the financial statements / Proofs of Deployment of Funds are free from material misstatements.

• The auditor’s conclusion/opinion.

4. Qualification Requirements / Shortlisting Criteria:

The audit firm must meet the following qualifications:

i. The Consultant should be a registered legal entity, and the Consultant should provide a copy of the certification of incorporation/business license with its EOI.

ii. Independence: The audit firm must be fully independent, with no management, financial, or business ties to the entity being audited.

iii. Experience:

• The audit firm must be in business for at least 10 years.

• The firm must be an active member (or affiliated member firm) of a recognised national professional accountancy body that is itself a member of IFAC (e.g., ICAEW, ACCA, IDW, WPK, AICPA, or equivalent).

• Have completed at least three (3) audit or assurance engagements under ISA 800, particularly in donor-funded projects, with a minimum value of USD 10,000 each.

• The firm must demonstrate experience auditing development finance institutions (DFIs), credit guarantee schemes, microfinance institutions (MFIs), or comparable financial intermediaries.

iv. Knowledge of Afghan Context: The audit firm should have prior experience working in Afghanistan and/or with Afghan financial institutions and be familiar with the local environment.

v. Method of Selection: A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method.

Submission of EOI: Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically to the address of Mr Daniel Jobmann, Senior Finance & Controlling Manager, ACGF (d.jobmann@acgf.de) by June 28, 2026, at 18:00 CET. EOIs received after the deadline will not be considered. Copies must also be submitted to dj.thiesen@acgf.de and j.mlalandle@acgf.de.

Interested consultants may obtain further information or full ToR at the address below during office hours from 9:00 to 18:00 (CET) on any working day from Monday to Friday.

ACGF – Afghan Credit Guarantee Foundation

Attention: Daniel Jobmann

Senior Finance & Controlling Manager

E-mail: d.jobmann@acgf.de

CC: dj.thiesen@acgf.de and j.mlalandle@acgf.de