Five West African enterprises pioneering solutions in circularity and regenerative agriculture have secured a £500,000 grant from TRANSFORM West Africa – a collaborative impact accelerator led by Unilever, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and EY. These startups, selected from over 100 applications across the region, were celebrated at an event in Lagos hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner.
The winning Nigerian enterprises – Chanja Datti, Planet 3R and Scrapays – are using innovation to tackle waste, create jobs, and promote sustainability. Chanja Datti is decentralising plastic waste processing by placing micro-recycling plants closer to collection points. Planet 3R is empowering women and young people with weaving skills to turn plastic and textile waste into practical items like bags and storage boxes. Scrapays is digitising waste collection by connecting waste producers with aggregators and processors through an easy-to-use platform.
Beyond financial support, these enterprises will gain access to expertise, mentorship and professional services from Unilever and EY, equipping them with tools to grow and deepen their impact.
Unilever Nigeria’s Country Managing Director said TRANSFORM’s approach ensures that decision-making rests in the hands of those who understand the challenges firsthand. By tapping into local insights and networks, the programme identified ideas with the greatest potential to scale sustainability across the region.
The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos commended the innovators for their practical and creative solutions to Africa’s plastic problem, especially in the run-up to World Earth Day. He highlighted how these efforts support global goals, including net-zero emissions and inclusive economic growth.
EY’s Senior Partner in West Africa noted that the firm is bringing its people, knowledge, and experience to support these changemakers. By combining corporate expertise with local ambition, EY aims to nurture a vibrant ecosystem of entrepreneurs building a sustainable future for the continent.
These new grantees join thirteen other TRANSFORM-backed enterprises in West Africa, including WeCyclers, which incentivises recycling in low-income communities through a reward system, and Reeddi Technologies, which delivers affordable, solar-powered energy to households and businesses in energy-deficient areas.
Collectively, TRANSFORM-supported ventures have reached more than two million people in West Africa. Globally, the initiative has improved the lives of over 18 million people across 20 countries, demonstrating the power of strategic partnerships and locally-led solutions in solving global challenges.
Through TRANSFORM, Unilever, the UK government, and EY are championing a model of innovation that blends business with purpose – helping African entrepreneurs drive social change, environmental resilience and inclusive prosperity.
