Quick Summary: West African Startups Win £500K for Green Innovation
Five promising startups across West Africa have been awarded £500,000 in grant funding through TRANSFORM West Africa, an initiative supported by Unilever, the UK Government, and EY. The funding will support businesses driving innovation in circularity and regenerative agriculture—with three Nigerian startups leading the charge.
In a major win for sustainable innovation in West Africa, five forward-thinking startups have secured a total of £500,000 in grant funding through TRANSFORM West Africa—an impact accelerator backed by Unilever, the UK Government, and EY.
These grants are supporting solutions in circularity and regenerative agriculture, with three Nigerian startups leading the charge.
Celebrating Innovation in Lagos
The selected enterprises were honored during a special event hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos. The occasion celebrated the creativity and dedication of the winners while introducing them to a broader ecosystem of partners and supporters.
Beyond funding, the grantees will receive:
- Hands-on business support
- Access to mentorship
- Expert guidance and networks through Unilever and EY
This holistic support is designed to help them scale their impact and grow sustainably.
Meet Nigeria’s Sustainability Trailblazers
Three of the five selected startups are Nigerian, each making significant strides in the waste and recycling sector:
Chanja Datti
This Abuja-based startup is setting up Micro-Recycling Plants (MRPs) near waste collection points. The goal is to decentralize plastic waste processing and make recycling more accessible at the community level.
Planet 3R
Planet 3R empowers women and youth by training them to upcycle plastic and textile waste into functional products such as bags, storage bins, and more.
Scrapays
Scrapays operates a digital platform that connects waste producers with aggregators and processors. By integrating tech into the waste value chain, the startup is helping to streamline recycling operations across Nigeria.
Backed by Local and Global Leaders
Speaking at the event, Mr. Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, shared his enthusiasm:
“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 showing how digital networks can drive sustainability, boost local economies, and advance global net-zero goals.”
A Locally Driven Selection Process
What makes TRANSFORM unique is its homegrown approach to identifying talent. The selection process was led by local representatives from:
- Unilever Nigeria
- The British High Commission
- EY Nigeria
Together, they reviewed over 100 applications, using local knowledge and networks to find startups with the greatest potential for impact.
Tobi Adeniyi, Country Managing Director at Unilever Nigeria, emphasized the value of this approach:
“We strongly believe that the best solutions come from those closest to the problem. With our local lens, we were able to identify innovators truly making a difference.”
More Than Money: Professional Support for Growth
Alongside the funding, EY will offer tailored support to help the startups navigate business growth.
Ashish Bakhshi, Senior Partner and Head of Markets at EY West Africa, shared:
“We saw inspiring solutions from across the region. At EY, we’re excited to build on this momentum with Unilever and the British High Commission to help scale these ideas and drive real change.”
Growing a Pan-African Movement
The Nigerian startups are now part of a larger network of 13 enterprises across West Africa supported by TRANSFORM. Other notable members include:
- WeCyclers – a platform that rewards individuals for recycling
- Reeddi Technologies – providers of clean, solar-powered energy solutions
Since its inception, TRANSFORM has positively impacted over 18 million people across 20 countries, with over 2 million beneficiaries in West Africa alone.
Looking Ahead
With strong backing from global partners and a commitment to local innovation, TRANSFORM West Africa is proving that sustainable business models are not only possible—they’re thriving.
From recycling to renewable energy, these startups are lighting the path toward a more sustainable and inclusive future for Africa.
