In a major win for sustainable innovation in West Africa, TRANSFORM West Africa – an impact accelerator backed by Unilever, the UK Government, and EY – has awarded £500,000 in grant funding to five trailblazing enterprises across the region. These businesses are tackling urgent challenges in circularity and regenerative agriculture, with three Nigerian startups leading the way.
The grantees were honoured at a celebratory event hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, where the winners were not only applauded for their ingenuity but also introduced to a broader ecosystem of support. In addition to funding, they will gain hands-on business insights, mentorship, and access to networks through Unilever and EY to help scale their impact.
Meet Nigeria’s Changemakers
The three Nigerian organisations selected are doing remarkable work in the waste and recycling space:
- Chanja Datti is setting up Micro-Recycling Plants (MRPs) near waste collection points, decentralising plastic waste processing and making recycling more accessible.
- Planet 3R empowers women and youth by teaching them to transform plastic and textile waste into useful products like bags and storage boxes.
- Scrapays runs a digital platform connecting waste producers to aggregators and processors, using technology to streamline recycling operations.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, praised the winners: “It’s very promising to see so many strong candidates working to reduce, collect, and process plastic waste. We’re proud to support these Nigerian enterprises—Scrapays, Chanja Datti, and Planet 3R—who are demonstrating how digital networks can tackle recycling challenges, drive economic growth, and support the global net-zero agenda.”
A Homegrown Selection Process
Unlike many global initiatives, TRANSFORM put local leaders at the helm of its selection process. Representatives from Unilever Nigeria, the British High Commission, and EY in Nigeria worked together to source over 100 applications, leveraging local networks and insights to identify the most impactful ideas.
Tobi Adeniyi, Country Managing Director at Unilever Nigeria, highlighted this approach: “We strongly believe that the best solutions are those developed by those closest to the challenge. With our local lens, we were able to identify innovators making a real difference.”
Powering Growth with Professional Support
Beyond funding, EY professionals will provide hands-on support to help the selected enterprises navigate business growth and scale their impact effectively.
Ashish Bakhshi, Senior Partner and Head of Markets, EY West Africa, added: “At EY, we’re excited to collaborate with Unilever and the British High Commission on TRANSFORM. We saw inspiring solutions from across the region. Our goal is to harness this ecosystem and build a better future together.”
Building a Pan-African Movement
These Nigerian startups join a growing network of 13 other West African enterprises supported by TRANSFORM, including WeCyclers, a rewards-for-recycling platform, and Reeddi Technologies, which provides clean, affordable solar-powered energy solutions.
To date, TRANSFORM has improved the lives of more than 18 million people in 20 countries, with over 2 million impacted in West Africa alone.
With strong partnerships and a focus on local innovation, TRANSFORM West Africa is proving that circular and sustainable business models can thrive—and scale—across the continent.
