International tenders provide opportunities for companies to expand into new markets. When international financial institutions (IFIs), such as the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), the World Bank Group and regional development banks, provide financing for projects, they facilitate contracts in relevant economic sectors. For small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, such tenders can be a chance to enter the market in a developing country or emerging economy, with a calculable risk and reliable financing.
Why companies often need support
It is usually complicated to access international tenders and submit offers. Major hurdles arise from the wide range of award requirements, differing formalities, national and international regulations, and formal prerequisites. Many companies lack the capacities to fulfil the tendering requirements.
That's why it makes sense to seek professional support. With our experience, market overview and expert advice, we can help you submit an effective offer.
How AWE supports you
To support companies and promote tenders, the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) works in five different areas:
- Information for getting started: Together with business-sector and federal state associations, we organise introductory seminars for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that do not yet participate in tenders. They provide information about the conditions and possible stumbling blocks.
- Support for successful submissions: With guidelines, checklists and seminars, for instance on taxes and law, we prepare SMEs specifically for tenders. Together with Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), we also provide information about the IFIs' procurement systems.
- Facilitation of cooperation: For SMEs unable to submit bids independently to IFIs, we work with business-sector and federal state associations to organise networking events that encourage cooperation and consortiums.
- Creating networks abroad: Through delegation trips and participation in trade fairs, we assist SMEs in establishing contacts on the ground with local partners and IFIs.
- Enhancing the quality of tenders: In expert dialogues, we bring specialists from the German private sector together with IFIs in order to improve their ability to develop viable projects and high-quality tenders.
Contact us so we can jointly assess your chances in the tendering process.
Events and training courses
AWE offers regular in-person events and webinars. We share our knowledge about changes in procurement policy in online seminars and in-person formats such as training courses. We also support the formation of networks and consortiums and provide access to local cooperation and consortium partners, and to relevant decision-makers, specialist dialogues and networking events.
Benefit from the potential of tenders
As yet, the German private sector and the IFIs have made little use of their extensive potential for cooperation. This is reflected in the fact that German companies participate comparatively seldom in tenders. For example, Germany holds the largest European share in the African Development Bank (AfDB), with a roughly four per cent stake (approximately USD 8.5 billion). Nevertheless, the share of the total volume of AfDB procurements going to German companies is only around two per cent. This means that significant opportunities and important market openings for German businesses in countries of the Global South remain untapped.
SMEs could use this potential and, with help from AWE, secure support for project management, technical consulting and construction services, among other things. The tendering organisations are many and varied. We provide an overview below.
German organisations
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
implements development cooperation projects on behalf of the German Government and international partners and awards contracts to external companies for advisory, supply and construction services; its tenders in these areas can be found on GIZ´s platform.
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KfW development bank
provides financing for development projects in 100 countries around the world and assists partner countries in issuing tenders for goods and services, which are awarded directly via the respective project offices.
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Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI)
informs German companies about foreign markets and maintains a central database of international tenders to facilitate access to global business opportunities.
Read moreDevelopment banks
European Investment Bank (EIB)
finances infrastructure and climate projects around Europe and in partner countries. The projects supported should reflect the objectives of the EU.
Read more![[Translate to English:] Alttext](/fileadmin/user_upload/Logos/Europaeische_Bank_fuer_Wiederaufbau_und_Entwicklung_EBRD_Logo.svg){kind=logo}
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
promotes economic development in Eastern and Central Europe. Its tenders focus on materials and equipment as well as services.
Read more![[Translate to English:] Alttext](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/a/csm_Logo_Afrikanische_Entwicklungsbank_2_13c826cf97.webp){kind=logo}
African Development Bank (AfDB)
supports African countries with loans and grants, and as part of those projects it awards tenders for infrastructure, governance and private sector development.
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Asian Development Bank (ADB)
provides financing for development and infrastructure projects in Asia and the Pacific region to improve the living conditions of local people.
Read moreInternational organisations
United Nations (UN)
works with subsidiary organisations and procures extensive goods and services worldwide for humanitarian aid, development programmes and peacekeeping, using a decentralised tendering system.
Read more![[Translate to English:] Alttext](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/0/csm_Logo_Europaeische_Kommission_5c0884473c.webp){kind=logo}
European Union (EU)
finances development cooperation and foreign policy programmes, for example the European Global Gateway Initiative.
Read moreDid you know that...
the Global Gateway Investment Hub supports European investment in partner countries of development cooperation by facilitating access to existing EU funding and financing instruments?
Since 2021, in the Global Gateway Initiative the EU has made targeted investments in sustainable business projects. It has earmarked a total of EUR 300 billion to modernise the following sectors in countries of the Global South: digital, climate and energy, transport, health, and education and research. The initiative is intended to close an investment gap particularly in Africa.
AWE assists German companies in reviewing, preparing and submitting their project proposals. It also helps you assess the feasibility of your investment project and get your proposal safely underway.
