From the interconnectedness fostered by the World Wide Web to the rapid development of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines, humanity's most significant advancements have stemmed from collaborative endeavors. The Open Source Movement, exemplified by platforms like Linux and Wikipedia, further underscores the transformative potential of shared resources. As the global community intensifies its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leveraging this spirit of collaboration, particularly through strategic Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), emerges as a powerful catalyst for progress.
By directing international capital and knowledge into crucial sectors, FDI not only spurs innovation and sustainable growth but also accelerates the journey toward a more inclusive and resilient future. It is within this context that TRANSFORM, a joint initiative spearheaded by Unilever, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Ernst & Young (EY), stands as a commendable force. This program aims to propel the growth of impact-driven enterprises across Africa, Asia, and beyond.
In a significant development, TRANSFORM has now launched its West Africa initiative, focusing on empowering innovative enterprises in Ghana and Nigeria. This initiative brings to the region nearly one billion naira in vital funding, coupled with invaluable mentorship and global exposure. More than just an accelerator, TRANSFORM cultivates an ecosystem of purpose, uniting corporations, donors, investors, and researchers to enable impact entrepreneurs worldwide to pilot and scale solutions addressing critical environmental and social issues.
The spotlight of the program turned to West Africa in 2024, culminating in the selection of five forward-thinking enterprises in Nigeria and Ghana. These enterprises are focused on tackling challenges within three critical areas: plastics, regenerative agriculture, and shopkeeper livelihoods. Each selected enterprise is poised to receive up to £100,000 (a collective £500,000) in innovation grants, alongside crucial in-kind support from Unilever and EY.
The West Africa initiative commenced with a rigorous two-phase selection process that began in June 2024. The initial phase saw the sourcing and evaluation of over 100 concept notes from the networks of Unilever, FCDO, and EY, with valuable input from Unilever’s in-country teams in Nigeria and Ghana. The subsequent phase involved 22 shortlisted enterprises submitting detailed proposals, each benefiting from the guidance of a Unilever mentor to refine their impact models and ambitions.
A series of dynamic in-person and virtual events held in Lagos and Accra in June 2024 served as a vibrant platform for stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem, from incubators and accelerators to previous TRANSFORM grantees such as WeCyclers and SESA Gripe, to connect, inform, and inspire.
The selected enterprises, while diverse in their approaches – ranging from tackling plastic waste to promoting sustainable farming – share a common thread: a deep commitment to people, planet, and profit. Each initiative holds significant potential to scale impact and drive systemic change across West Africa:
- Chanja Datti (Nigeria): By establishing decentralized plastic waste collection through Micro Recycling Plants, Chanja Datti is directly addressing pollution while generating green employment opportunities within underserved communities.
- Scrapays (Nigeria): Utilizing a tech-enabled platform that connects waste producers with recyclers and processors, Scrapays is constructing an efficient, traceable, and economically viable waste recovery network.
- Planet 3R (Nigeria): This woman-and-youth-led social enterprise champions the transformation of waste into valuable resources by training communities to convert plastic and textile waste into reusable household items and fashion accessories.
- AppCyclers (Ghana): Through the Northern Ghana Plastic Waste Reboot Initiative, AppCyclers is reimagining the circular economy by digitizing the plastic value chain, with a specific focus on empowering women waste collectors.
- Minana Service (Ghana): By focusing on sustainable palm oil production, Minana is actively regenerating agricultural land while creating meaningful employment opportunities for women and youth in rural Ghana.
To celebrate the selection of these impactful enterprises, TRANSFORM hosted a significant event on April 3, 2025, at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Lagos. The gathering brought together 50 key stakeholders, including representatives from Unilever, the UK FCDO, EY, the British High Commission, and the broader social enterprise ecosystem.
The event featured inspiring speeches that underscored the strategic importance of the initiative. John Baxter, Deputy High Commissioner of BHC Lagos, lauded the cohort as “trailblazers in sustainability.” Godfrey Adejumoh, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Business at Unilever Nigeria, emphasized the crucial role of collaboration in achieving widespread impact. Adejoke Lasisi, CEO of Planet 3R, shared her inspiring journey of transforming waste into empowerment for Nigerian women.
A corresponding celebration is planned for April 30 in Accra, Ghana, to further amplify the initiative's momentum and highlight the country’s dynamic innovation ecosystem.
The TRANSFORM West Africa initiative extends beyond mere financial support; it is fundamentally about fostering long-term inclusive prosperity. By integrating sustainability into the core of these enterprises, TRANSFORM is contributing to the development of resilient economies that prioritize both people and the planet.
With the dedicated project leads provided by Unilever and the business support offered by EY coaches, these enterprises are not only equipped to survive but also to flourish and generate ripple effects that extend far beyond national borders.
In a region brimming with opportunities to enhance livelihoods and socio-economic impact, TRANSFORM’s approach represents a timely and essential intervention. It is redefining the landscape of collaboration between corporate and development partners in supporting and nurturing the next generation of changemakers. By aligning with governmental efforts, it signals a strong commitment from the private sector towards initiatives that drive meaningful impact, foster sustainable growth, and enable scalable solutions.
TRANSFORM and Unilever Nigeria’s Commitment to Sustainability
Unilever Nigeria has intensified its focus on sustainability, with a sharpened strategic emphasis on improving livelihoods. This commitment is embedded across four key pillars:
- Youth Employability: Through the Future-X Campus Ambassadors Programme (FUCAP) in partnership with UNICEF Gen U.
- Plastic Collection: Via collaborations with franchises like WeCyclers. To date, this partnership has resulted in the collection of over 13,000 tonnes of plastic waste, exceeding the company’s plastic footprint in the environment.
- Women Empowerment: Through the Shakti initiative, which has empowered over 13,000 women across 22 states (including the FCT) by creating micro-entrepreneurs and fostering financial independence.
- Localisation of Raw Material Sourcing: Unilever Nigeria now sources over 50% of its raw materials locally. The local sourcing of cassava sorbitol, for instance, has positively impacted over 10,000 cassava farmers, enhancing their livelihoods and economic opportunities. The FUCAP initiative has also equipped over 40,000 youth with crucial entrepreneurship and future-of-work skills.
The inclusion of three Nigerian enterprises focused on plastic collection within the TRANSFORM initiative is set to amplify Unilever’s impact in this critical area. By ensuring improved remuneration for plastic collectors and strengthening the overall waste management ecosystem, the initiative not only bolsters environmental sustainability but also generates significant positive impacts on livelihoods, driving long-term social and economic benefits for communities across Nigeria.
At its core, TRANSFORM serves as a powerful testament to the extraordinary achievements possible when vision converges with collaboration. In West Africa, it is diligently laying the foundation for a more sustainable future, one innovative enterprise at a time.
As the world grapples with its most pressing challenges, TRANSFORM offers a compelling demonstration that the most effective solutions often lie within local ingenuity, community spirit, and the power of sustainable enterprise.
TRANSFORM West Africa stands today as a beacon of hope, vividly illustrating the profound impact of collaborative action. As Helen Keller wisely noted, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”