Three Nigerian startups secure US$628,000 to advance circularity under TRANSFORM West Africa Initiative

NIGERIA – Three Nigerian enterprises have secured grant funding under the TRANSFORM West Africa programme—an impact accelerator backed by Unilever, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and EY. 

The initiative, which awarded a total of £500,000 (US$628,000), aims to support business-led solutions in circularity and regenerative agriculture across the region.

The grantees were unveiled at an event hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, which brought together representatives from the British High Commission, Unilever Nigeria, EY West Africa, and stakeholders in sustainability and development. 

The funding, which followed a competitive selection process involving over 100 applications from across West Africa, was granted to five enterprises, including three from Nigeria: Chanja Datti, Planet 3R, and Scrapays.

Local innovation anchored in contextual understanding

According to TRANSFORM, the selection process was led by local representatives of Unilever Nigeria, EY, and the British High Commission, who leveraged regional networks to identify high-potential enterprises rooted in local contexts.

Tobi Adeniyi, Country Managing Director at Unilever Nigeria, noted that the programme’s decentralised approach placed decision-making in the hands of local leaders.

“We believe those closest to the challenge are best positioned to craft practical solutions. Our local insight helped us identify the innovators best equipped to make an impact.”

Chanja Datti is advancing decentralised plastic waste processing through Micro-Recycling Plants (MRPs) strategically located near collection points. This proximity aims to streamline waste handling and improve recycling efficiency in urban communities.

Planet 3R is addressing both environmental and socioeconomic issues by training women and young people to repurpose plastic and textile waste into usable products such as bags and storage containers. 

The enterprise integrates vocational training with environmental stewardship, thereby promoting livelihood creation alongside waste reduction.

Scrapays operates a digital platform that connects waste producers directly with aggregators and processors. The platform is designed to improve traceability and coordination within Nigeria’s informal waste ecosystem, using mobile technology to facilitate real-time exchanges.

Support beyond funding

In addition to receiving a share of the US$628,000 grant, the selected enterprises will benefit from technical assistance and business development support. 

EY professionals will offer mentorship and guidance in key operational areas, including strategy, finance, and scalability. Unilever will provide access to global networks and resources relevant to sustainable business practices.

Ashish Bakhshi, Senior Partner and Head of Markets at EY West Africa, stated that the firm’s involvement extends beyond financial oversight.

“We are bringing our professional expertise to the table to help these enterprises navigate business growth and operational challenges. It’s a collaborative model aimed at long-term outcomes.”

Diplomatic recognition and broader development goals

Speaking at the Lagos event, Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner, highlighted the alignment between the supported projects and broader environmental targets. 

“It is encouraging to witness local innovation tackling the issue of plastic waste. These enterprises are demonstrating how data-driven and community-based solutions can support economic development and contribute to the net-zero agenda,” he said.

The announcement comes as World Earth Day approaches, a global event observed annually on April 22 to raise awareness about environmental issues. In this context, the programme’s alignment with sustainable development goals has drawn attention from both public and private stakeholders.

Growing West African network of sustainability ventures

The Nigerian startups join 13 other enterprises already supported by TRANSFORM in West Africa. Among them are WeCyclers, which promotes household recycling through a reward-based model in low-income communities, and Reeddi Technologies, a Lagos-based company providing solar-powered electricity via portable energy capsules to underserved areas.

Together, these ventures have impacted over 2 million individuals in the region. On a global scale, TRANSFORM’s portfolio of supported enterprises spans 20 countries and has reached more than 18 million people through initiatives that blend commercial strategy with development objectives.