In a landmark push for sustainability and innovation, TRANSFORM West Africa — a global impact accelerator led by Unilever, the UK government, and EY — has awarded £500,000 in grant funding to five pioneering West African enterprises, with three of the recipients based in Nigeria. These enterprises are tackling two of the region’s most pressing challenges: waste management and regenerative agriculture.
The announcement was made at a high-profile event hosted by British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, in Lagos, where the grantees were celebrated for their groundbreaking solutions aimed at reducing environmental degradation and driving inclusive economic growth.
Empowering Local Changemakers
The selected Nigerian enterprises include:
- Chanja Datti – A startup revolutionising waste management by deploying Micro-Recycling Plants (MRPs) near collection points to decentralise plastic recycling.
- Planet 3R – A social enterprise transforming plastic and textile waste into reusable items like bags and boxes, while empowering women and youth with valuable weaving skills.
- Scrapays – A digital platform that efficiently links waste producers to aggregators and processors, improving collection and recycling logistics.
These homegrown solutions will not only receive the grant funding but also gain business development support, mentorship, and access to global networks through Unilever and EY, positioning them to scale their operations and maximise their impact.
A Collaborative Selection Process
The grantees were selected through a rigorous process involving local representatives from Unilever, EY, and the British High Commission. Over 100 applications poured in from across the region, showcasing a wealth of innovation aimed at solving West Africa’s environmental and agricultural challenges.
Mr. Jonny Baxter, in his remarks, praised the ingenuity of the Nigerian grantees:
“It’s very promising to see so many strong candidates working to reduce, collect and process plastic waste. With World Earth Day approaching, we’re proud to support three Nigerian enterprises – Scrapays, Chanja Datti, and Planet 3R – who are using digital networks and community-based innovation to tackle recycling challenges and contribute to global net-zero targets.”
L-R: Head, Innovation and Strategy, Chanja Datti Limited, Gabriel Onyebuolise; Senior Partner/Head of Markets, Ernst & Young, Ashishi Bakhshi; Deputy Head of Mission, British High Commission, Simon Field; Founder/ CEO, Planet3R, Adejoke Lasisi; Head, Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Business, Unilever Nigeria, Godfrey Adejumoh and Operations and Strategy Lead, Scrapays, Boluwatife Arewa at the unveiling of TRANSFORM grant winners held at the British High Commission's residence in Lagos today.
Innovation by the People, for the People
Tobi Adeniyi, Country Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria, underscored TRANSFORM’s emphasis on local ownership and leadership:
“At TRANSFORM, we believe the best solutions come from those closest to the challenge. By tapping into our networks and applying a local lens, we identified innovators who not only understand the problems but are equipped to solve them sustainably.”
Ashish Bakhshi, Senior Partner and Head of Markets at EY West Africa, echoed this sentiment, noting EY’s commitment to using professional expertise to scale innovation:
“We are proud to bring our knowledge and resources to support impactful enterprises through TRANSFORM. The creativity and purpose-driven solutions we’ve seen inspire hope for a more sustainable future for all.”
Building on a Growing Legacy
These new grantees join a growing community of TRANSFORM-backed enterprises in West Africa that are changing lives and shaping industries. Notable Nigerian alumni include:
- WeCyclers – A reward-based recycling platform incentivising low-income communities to trade waste for essential goods.
- Reeddi Technologies – Developers of solar-powered battery generators providing reliable and affordable electricity to energy-starved regions.
Collectively, TRANSFORM’s initiatives in West Africa have reached over 2 million people, contributing to a global impact that now spans 20 countries and 18 million lives.
A Future Fueled by Innovation and Inclusion
As the world races to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and combat climate change, initiatives like TRANSFORM highlight the power of partnership, local innovation, and inclusive impact. The latest round of grantees from Nigeria reinforces a growing narrative — that with the right support, African enterprises can lead the charge in building a circular, regenerative, and economically inclusive future.