UNDP-AFG-00823-REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FROM Private Entities/financial institutions (Banks, Microfinance Institutions-MFIs)1.       BackgroundUNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years to address challenges related to livelihoods, governance, resilience, climate change, health, and rule of law. Through its flagship Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI) programme, UNDP, together with UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society partners, supports integrated community-based interventions aimed at restoring essential services, revitalizing local economies, strengthening livelihoods, enhancing resilience, and reducing humanitarian dependency. Complementing ABADEI, the Access to Finance (A2F) Project promotes financial inclusion and private sector recovery, with a particular focus on underserved groups, especially women-led MSMEs. Following the socio-economic crisis in Afghanistan, women-owned businesses have faced severe challenges, including business closures, limited market access, supply chain disruptions, and restricted access to formal financial services, with less than 7 percent of women holding bank accounts. In response, UNDP, in partnership with UN Women, is launching the Afghanistan Women’s Enterprise Resilience Fund (AWFRE), an innovative Shariah-compliant subsidized lending initiative designed to improve access to affordable finance for women-led MSMEs. The initiative combines microloans with business development support, financial literacy, and capacity building to strengthen women’s economic resilience, protect livelihoods, and promote sustainable community recovery.2.       OBJECTIVE This Request for Information (RFI) is issued to national and international private financial institutions (banks, MFIs) to explore potential partnerships with UNDP for delivering development outputs requiring expertise in the provision of Sharia-compliant microloans to savings groups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across various provinces in Afghanistan. 3.       INFORMATION REQUESTED Interested private entities are requested to complete the questionnaire below and attach all required supporting documentation. International applicants must also provide valid permits and licenses confirming their legal presence in the country. All responses must be clear, direct, and supported by relevant documentation. Information not directly addressing the questions may affect the assessment of alignment with UNDP requirements. Geographic Coverage: The private entity/financial institution is expected to demonstrate either physical presence (branch, agents, staff) or access and ability to work in Afghanistan, preferably any or all of  the 6 following targeting areas of Afghanistan: 1.       Target Area 1: Central Region (Kabul, Midan Wardak, Parwan) 2.       Target Area 2: Central Highland Region (Bamiyan, Daikundi, Ghor)3.       Target Area 3: Northern Region (Balkh) and Northeastern Region (Takhar and Badakhshan)4.       Target Area 4: Southeastern Region (Paktika)5.       Target Area 5: Wester Region (Herat, Farah)6.       Target Area 6: Central, Central Highland and East, North and Northeast, West and South.  4.       INFORMATION REQUESTED You are required to fill out the form below attaching all supporting documentation where specifically requested.:  Request for Information (RFI) Questionnaire,If you are an international private entity, please provide information and documentation relating to your permits and licenses for your local presence in this country. Please note that attachments should be provided to support each answer to the questions.  All questions must be answered directly and clearly.  Extraneous information that does not directly respond to the questions will only constrain the ability of UNDP to positively assess the private entity alignment with UNDP requirements.