Section 01 Engagement Overview
A phased deployment plan with SteerCo checkpoints at every milestone. Designed for accountability, transparency, and measurable progress.
Stakeholder alignment, systems audit, and tenant configuration. AI-accelerated taxonomy design and data seeding — what traditionally takes weeks of manual data entry is automated through intelligent schema generation.
| WBS | Task | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Project kickoff & SteerCo alignment | 1 | 4 |
| 1.2 | Current systems audit & data landscape mapping | 2 | 8 |
| 1.3 | Stakeholder interviews (management, members, partners) | 3 | 12 |
| 1.4 | Tenant creation, membership tiers & taxonomy seeding (AI-generated) | 1 | 8 |
| 1.5 | Taxonomy validation workshop with ECA domain experts | 2 | 8 |
| 1.6 | Data seeding, verification & architecture documentation | 2 | 12 |
| 1.7 | 1st SteerCo: Architecture sign-off | 1 | 4 |
Configured platform tenant • 8 seeded taxonomies (61+ types) • 6 membership tiers • Architecture document • SteerCo sign-off
AI acceleration: Taxonomy design + seeding that traditionally requires 80+ hours of manual data modeling is completed in under 8 hours through intelligent schema generation from source documents.
Six core applications configured using the dynamic schema engine — no custom code per app. Each application is a view configuration on the shared data layer, not a standalone build.
| WBS | Task | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Member Portal — profiles, showrooms, dashboards | 4 | 32 |
| 2.2 | Origin Atlas — interactive map, variety encyclopedia, harvest calendar | 3 | 24 |
| 2.3 | Global Compliance Portal — EUDR traceability chain, verification workflows | 5 | 40 |
| 2.4 | Legacy Portal — AI matchmaking engine, deal rooms | 4 | 32 |
| 2.5 | ERP & CRM — accounting, billing, pipelines, lead management | 5 | 40 |
| 2.6 | QMS — 8 core BPMN process definitions (SOPs) | 3 | 24 |
| 2.7 | 2nd SteerCo: Core platform demo | 1 | 4 |
| 2.8 | User acceptance testing & refinements | 1 | 4 |
6 operational applications • EUDR compliance workflows live • Member-facing portal live • SteerCo demo complete
AI acceleration: Applications are configured on a dynamic schema engine, not custom-coded. A traditional dev team would need 6–8 months and 2,000+ hours for equivalent scope. Our platform-first approach delivers in 5 weeks.
Addis Coffee Cup event platform, Coffee Academy, governance dashboards, and AI agent configuration. These build on the same data layer — no new infrastructure, just new views and workflows.
| WBS | Task | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Addis Coffee Cup — cupping forms, hybrid auction, event calendar | 3 | 24 |
| 3.2 | Coffee Academy — course catalog, certification pathway workflows | 2 | 16 |
| 3.3 | Governance dashboards — OPI live scores, B³ project portfolio | 2 | 16 |
| 3.4 | AI agent configuration — matchmaking, compliance, report generation | 3 | 24 |
| 3.5 | Integration testing across all 12 applications | 2 | 16 |
| 3.6 | 3rd SteerCo: Full platform review | 1 | 4 |
| 3.7 | Refinements from SteerCo feedback | 1 | 4 |
Complete platform (12 applications) • AI agents operational • Governance dashboards with real OPI data • Full platform review complete
AI acceleration: Events, Academy, and Governance are view configurations on existing taxonomies — the data (courses, events, OPI questions) is already seeded. AI agents are configured through natural language rules, not programmed.
Member data migrated via AI-assisted scripts, staff trained on administration, and exporter workshops prepare members for launch. Documentation auto-generated from platform configuration.
| WBS | Task | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Member data migration (700+ profiles, AI-assisted script generation) | 2 | 16 |
| 4.2 | Historical data import (financial, compliance records) | 2 | 12 |
| 4.3 | Staff training — platform administration (ECA team, 2 days) | 2 | 16 |
| 4.4 | Member training — exporter portal workshops (× 2 sessions) | 2 | 16 |
| 4.5 | Documentation — auto-generated admin guide, user guide, SOP manual | 2 | 12 |
| 4.6 | 4th SteerCo: Go-live readiness | 1 | 4 |
| 4.7 | Buyer onboarding materials & partner access setup | 1 | 4 |
Migrated member data (700+ profiles) • Trained staff (2 days) • Exporter workshops complete • Documentation package • Go-live approval
Controlled launch with pilot members, first Addis Coffee Cup event support, optimization, and handover.
| WBS | Task | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | Soft launch — staff + 50 pilot members | 2 | 8 |
| 5.2 | First Addis Coffee Cup event technical support | 1 | 8 |
| 5.3 | Optimization from pilot feedback | 3 | 12 |
| 5.4 | Full public launch & post-launch monitoring | 3 | 8 |
| 5.5 | 5th SteerCo: Project completion & handover | 1 | 4 |
Live platform • First event executed • Post-launch report • Complete handover • Project sign-off
Section 07 Financial Summary
Proforma delivery schedule. Rate and total columns are subject to final commercial agreement.
| Phase | Start | End | Days | Hours | Rate ($/hr) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery & Setup | Week 1 | Week 3 | 12 | 56 | $45 | $2,520 |
| Core Platform Build | Week 4 | Week 8 | 26 | 200 | $45 | $9,000 |
| Events, Academy & Intelligence | Week 9 | Week 11 | 14 | 104 | $45 | $4,680 |
| Data Migration & Training | Week 12 | Week 14 | 12 | 80 | $45 | $3,600 |
| Launch & Optimization | Week 15 | Week 16 | 10 | 40 | $45 | $1,800 |
| Total | Week 1 | Week 16 | 74 | 480 | $45 | $21,600 |
Traditional platform development requires custom coding for each application, manual data modeling, hand-written documentation, and bespoke integrations. Our AI-accelerated approach uses a dynamic schema engine that configures applications from data definitions rather than building them from scratch. The same 12-application scope that would take a conventional development team 12–18 months is delivered in 16 weeks because:
- Taxonomy seeding — AI generates data schemas from source documents in hours, not weeks
- View generation — Applications are configured, not coded. New views created in minutes
- Process automation — BPMN workflows are drawn and deployed, not programmed
- Documentation — Auto-generated from the platform’s own configuration
- AI agents — Configured through natural language rules, not custom ML pipelines
Pricing Model How We Price Digital Infrastructure
We don’t sell hours. We sell outcomes. Our AI-accelerated delivery model means the same platform that would cost $90,000–$150,000 from a traditional software firm is delivered for $21,600 — because the technology does the heavy lifting, not headcount.
Duration: 12–18 months
Hours: 2,500–4,000
Rate: $35–$60/hr (African agency)
Total: $90,000–$150,000+
Result: Custom code. Fragile. Expensive to change.
Duration: 16 weeks
Hours: 480
Rate: $45/hr
Total: $21,600
Result: Configured platform. Flexible. Evolves without code.
Cost Comparison
Three delivery approaches compared across the same 12-application scope.
The Three Models Compared
| Factor | Enterprise SaaS | Custom Development | Our Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | $80K–$160K (licenses + integration) | $90K–$150K (dev team) | $21,600 |
| Annual running cost | $30K–$50K/yr (per-seat fees) | $25K–$40K/yr (dev maintenance) | $6K/yr (hosting + support) |
| Time to live | 6–12 months | 12–18 months | 16 weeks |
| New data type | Vendor ticket (weeks) | Dev sprint (weeks) | Minutes (no code) |
| New application | Buy another module ($$$) | Build from scratch (months) | Configure views (days) |
| Data ownership | Vendor-hosted, exported on request | Full ownership | Full ownership (self-hosted option) |
| AI integration | Add-on module ($$$) | Custom ML pipeline ($$$) | Built-in, configured via rules |
| 5-year total | $230K–$360K | $215K–$350K | $51,600 |
We charge for expertise and outcomes, not for time spent typing code. AI handles the repetitive work — schema generation, view configuration, documentation, data migration scripts. What you pay for is the architecture decisions, the domain knowledge (coffee industry, EUDR compliance, trade matchmaking), and the platform itself which continues to deliver value long after our engagement ends.
The $45/hr rate reflects African market realities while respecting the value delivered. A US-based firm would charge $150–$250/hr for the same scope and take 3× longer. We deliver faster, cheaper, and with full data sovereignty — your platform runs on your terms.
Section 08 Payment Terms
Milestone-based payments tied to SteerCo approvals. Each payment is triggered by a verified deliverable.
Section 09 Ongoing Support Options
Post-launch services to ensure the platform continues to deliver value as ECA’s needs evolve.
Section 10 Assumptions & Dependencies
Successful delivery depends on the following conditions. Any deviation may affect timeline and scope.
- ECA provides timely access to stakeholders for interviews and workshops (Phase 1 & 4)
- BOP INC facilitates SteerCo scheduling and ensures decision-makers are present at each gate
- Internet connectivity at ECA headquarters is sufficient for WebSocket connections (persistent, low-latency)
- Member data (names, contacts, export licenses) is available in a structured format for migration
- Existing OPI assessment data and B³ Strategy 2030 documents are provided as input during discovery
- ECA designates a project coordinator as the primary point of contact for day-to-day decisions
- Testing feedback is provided within 5 business days of each UAT cycle
- Third-party API access (e.g., EUDR compliance databases) is arranged by ECA where applicable
Ready to Transform Ethiopia’s Coffee Sector
A 24-week engagement. Five SteerCo gates. Twelve integrated applications. One platform that grows with the B³ Strategy 2030.