Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) interested in Developing a Business in Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) at Norwegian Church Aid ('NCA')

NCA is looking for a dynamic local Small or Medium Enterprise (SME) interested in developing a business in Fecal Sludge Management (FSM). The aim is to turn Fecal Sludge Management into a profitable business opportunity. The selected enterprise will operate existing treatment infrastructures, belonging to State Environmental Agencies (BOSEPA, YOSEPA), to recycle treated sludge into valuable products such as bio-fertilizers and briquettes, contributing to environmental protection and promoting a circular economy model.

• One (01) SME to operate and manage FSM activities in Maiduguri, Borno State
• One (01) SME to operate and manage FSM activities in Shani LGA, Borno State 
• One (01) SME to operate and manage FSM activities in Bade LGA, Yobe State 

Background

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is a faith-based humanitarian and development organization that provides emergency assistance during crises, supports long-term community development, and advocates for just and sustainable governance. 

Since 2017, NCA has been actively operating in Northeast Nigeria, delivering lifesaving assistance and promoting resilience in conflict-affected areas. 

Our interventions currently span seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno and Yobe States:

• In Borno State: Dikwa, Monguno, Gwoza-Pulka, Shani LGAs and Maiduguri Main Metropolitan City. 
• In Yobe State: Bade LGA

NCA has a focus on:

• Climate-Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (CRWASH),
• Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH).

As part of our continuous effort to deliver sustainable WASH solutions, NCA initiated a Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) pilot program between 2021 and 2024 in collaboration with the Ministries of Water Resources and Sanitation, Ministry of Agriculture, and the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA). The initiative aimed to have proper management and treatment of the fecal sludge, transforming fecal sludge into safe, value-added products while strengthening environmental protection, public health, and local livelihoods.

During this pilot, NCA mastered the briquette production process from treated fecal sludge and achieved an important milestone: the official certification of the briquettes by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON). 

NCA with UNICEF support constructed and operationalized a fecal sludge treatment facility in Maiduguri, Shani and Bade. The facility enables safe collection, treatment, and conversion of fecal sludge into biofertilizers and briquettes, that can create a circular sanitation economy to supports environmental health and green job creation.

A 2024 perception survey among farmers in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) further indicated growing readiness to adopt FSM-derived products such as biofertilizers and briquettes.

89% of the respondents of the survey expressed positive attitude on Biofertilizer and 80% showed favorable opinions on Briquettes.

Building on this positive acceptance, NCA is looking for local SME champions who are passionate about tackling environmental pollution, promoting recycling and circular economy initiatives, generating wealth from sanitation activities, advancing green and ecological agriculture, combating climate change, and protecting the environment to join and contribute to NCA’s Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Journey.

The SME will not be funded by NCA, but it needs to create a business model based on the income from the sale of FSM products. 

Objective of the Call for EOI

The purpose of this call for Expression of Interest (EoI) is to identify competent local Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) engaged in environmental protection and pollution control, climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable sanitation and waste management, green and ecological agriculture, renewable energy promotion, recycling and circular economy initiatives, and other actions contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient environment, to operate, manage, generate business profit from the FSM activities in Maiduguri, Shani and Bade.

NCA seeks three (03) SMEs to operate and develop sustainable FSM businesses in these locations to join the FSM journey.

• One (01) SME to operate and manage FSM activities in Maiduguri, Borno State,
• One (01) SME to operate and manage FSM activities in Shani LGA, Borno State,
• One (01) SME to operate and manage FSM activities in Bade LGA, Yobe State

Scope of Work

Selected SMEs will be responsible for the following activities:

• Operate and maintain fecal sludge treatment and valorization facilities, ensuring all operations meet environmental, safety, and technical standards.
• Run the FSM facilities which includes production, packaging, and marketing of briquettes and biofertilizers from treated sludge, ensuring high product quality and strong linkages with local markets.
• Develop sustainable business models and private sector partnerships, engaging dislodging operators, farmer groups, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen FSM value chains.
• Coordinate with relevant authorities and stakeholders, including FSM steering committees, Ministries of Water and Agriculture, BOSEPA, YOSEPA, GGW, and LGAs in Shani and Bade, to ensure policy alignment and smooth operations.
• Promote as much as possible integration of FSM with green agriculture, climate change mitigation, and livelihood programs, maximizing social, economic, and environmental impact.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Eligibility criteria:
• Selection criteria:

SMEs must:

1. Be a legally registered company, cooperative, or social enterprise in Nigeria.
2. Have at least 01 years of experience in sanitation, waste management, agro-processing, or related sectors.
3. Demonstrate experience in operating treatment facilities or production units, preferably in FSM or similar waste-to-resource projects.
4. Possess technical capacity for production of one of these products (briquettes, compost, or biofertilizers).
5. Have a minimum of qualified staff in operations, business development, and technical management.
6. Be financially stable and able to manage operational costs until revenue is generated.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Submission Requirements

Interested SME must submit the following documents:

• Letter of Expression of Interest (maximum 2 pages)
• Organization profile and registration documents
• Evidence of relevant project experience and references
• Proof of financial capacity (recent bank statement or audit report)
• Concept note outlining approach to FSM operation and product marketing
• Tax clearance and statutory compliance certificates

Selection Process

All submissions will be reviewed by an evaluation committee comprising representatives from, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation Ministry of Agriculture, BOSEPA, YOSEPA, and Great Green Wall (GGW).  Only shortlisted structures will be contacted.

Disclaimer

NCA reserves the right to accept or reject any submission without obligation to provide feedback. Participation in this EOI does not guarantee selection for partnership.