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Tag: Sahara Group Foundation

  • Sahara Group Foundation commissions 17th Sahara Go Recycling Hub in Ibeju-Lekki

    Sahara Group Foundation commissions 17th Sahara Go Recycling Hub in Ibeju-Lekki

    Sahara Group Foundation, the corporate social impact arm of Sahara Group, has commissioned its 17th Sahara Go Recycling Hub in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable waste management, environmental protection, and community empowerment across Nigeria.

    The Sahara Go Recycling Initiative promotes a circular economy by diverting recyclable waste from landfills, improving resource recovery, and creating income opportunities for households through waste-to-wealth interventions.

    The newly commissioned hub expands the Foundation’s growing recycling footprint across Lagos, extending access to structured, community-led recycling solutions in emerging urban communities.

    Strategically located within Ibeju-Lekki, the hub is designed to encourage responsible waste disposal while enabling residents to earn value from recyclable materials.

    Notably, it is the second Sahara Go Recycling Hub to feature a solar-powered Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), underscoring the Foundation’s commitment to integrating clean energy and innovation into grassroots sustainability initiatives.

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    The RVM allows residents to conveniently deposit recyclable materials and receive instant rewards, reinforcing positive environmental behaviour.

    Speaking at the commissioning, Chidilim Menakaya, Director, Sahara Group Foundation, said the initiative reflects the Foundation’s focus on practical, people-centred solutions.

    “The Sahara Go Recycling Hub in Ibeju-Lekki is more than a recycling point; it is a platform for dignity, livelihoods, and environmental responsibility. By bringing structured recycling closer to communities, we are empowering residents to participate meaningfully in protecting their environment while creating economic value.”

    The commissioning ceremony was attended by representatives of Sahara Group and Sahara Group Foundation, the Executive Chairman and Vice Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, community leaders, partners, and residents of Ibeju-Lekki, reflecting strong local engagement and shared ownership of the initiative.

    Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Olowa Abdullahi Sesan, emphasised the significance of the Sahara Go Recycling Hub to residents of Ibeju-Lekki, particularly given its strategic location within the community.

    He described the hub as timely and impactful, noting its alignment with the local government’s sustainability and development priorities. He highlighted the initiative’s role in transforming waste into resources, reducing environmental impact, supporting climate action, and creating livelihood opportunities within the community.

    The Vice Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Isiaka Yusuf Olatunji, encouraged residents to actively participate in the programme, emphasizing the importance of responsible waste practices to ensure long-term community benefits.

    Since its inception, the Sahara Go Recycling Initiative has collected over 660 tonnes of recyclable waste, facilitated more than ₦93 million in payouts, and positively impacted over 1,700 households by creating alternative income streams across Lagos.

    Also speaking at the event, Rita Idehai, CEO of Ecobarter, said: “Our collaboration with Sahara Group Foundation in Ibeju-Lekki highlights the power of partnerships in delivering scalable, community-focused recycling solutions.

    Together, we are encouraging responsible waste practices while ensuring that communities directly benefit from sustainability initiatives.”

    Reiterating the Foundation’s long-term vision, Menakaya added, “Sahara Go Recycling is creating a ripple effect across Lagos by changing perceptions around waste and demonstrating its economic value. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, we are building sustainable ecosystems that will benefit present and future generations.”

    Sahara Group Foundation will continue to expand the Sahara Go Recycling Initiative across Lagos and beyond, in line with its mission of Building Sustainable Communities through EXTRApreneurship. 

  • Sahara Group Foundation inaugurates 15th recycling hubs to boost environmental sustainability

    Sahara Group Foundation inaugurates 15th recycling hubs to boost environmental sustainability

    Sahara Group Foundation, the corporate social impact vehicle of Sahara Group, has inaugurated its 15th Sahara Go Recycling hub in Ijede, Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State. This is in furtherance of the firm’s commitment to sustainable waste management, environmental protection, and community empowerment in Nigeria.

    The new hub, strategically located opposite the General Hospital in Ijede, extends the Foundation’s growing recycling campaign, building on the success of 14 hubs already established across Lagos.

    The Sahara Go Recycling initiative is designed to promote a circular economy by reducing waste, fostering resource recovery, and empowering local communities with opportunities to earn income from recyclables.

    Speaking at the commissioning, the Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said: “The launch of the Ijede Go-Recycling Hub is not just about environmental sustainability; it is about redefining value, creating opportunities for economic empowerment, and building resilient communities that can lead the charge for sustainability.

    “Every plastic bottle, aluminium can, or piece of paper recycled here marks a step toward a cleaner environment, stronger livelihoods, and a future where waste is transformed into wealth”, underscoring the Foundation’s vision of inspiring a ripple effect of sustainable practices across communities.”

    The event was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power Plc, executives and representatives of Sahara Group, Egbin Power Plc, and Ikeja Electric, the Vice Chairman of Ijede Local Government Development Area, and other members of the team, officials from the Ijede General Hospital, as well as other dignitaries, traditional leaders, and community members.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power Plc, Mokhtar Bounour, remarked: “At Sahara, Egbin, Ikeja Electric and across all our businesses, we don’t just say it, we transform it in action, making a difference and doing it from our heart to ensure that communities are empowered. A cleaner Ijede means a healthier Ikorodu and ultimately a stronger Nigeria. This initiative has the power to enhance public health while stimulating economic empowerment for our people.”

    The Vice Chairman, Ijede Local Government, Kabir Kareem, representing the Executive Chairman, emphasised the hub’s importance to Ijede residents, especially given its strategic location.

    “The essence of this project is environmental sustainability and value creation. When we transform our waste into resources, it is a symbiosis, improving our environment, reducing greenhouse gases, and global warming. Ultimately, we are creating job opportunities and saving energy,” Kareem said. He implored all Ijede residents to key into the project and minimise improper waste disposal.

    The Baale of Ipakan Community, Ijede, High Chief Mustapha Lasisi, commended the collaboration between Sahara Group Foundation, Egbin Power Plc, Ijede LCDA, and EcoBarter, describing the hub as a vital contribution to the well-being and livelihoods of Ijede residents, especially because of the economic value it provides.

    Since its inception, the Sahara Go Recycling Initiative has collected over 500 tonnes of recyclable waste and facilitated payouts exceeding ₦50 million to beneficiaries. The program has positively impacted more than 1000 households, creating alternative income streams, supporting livelihoods, and reinforcing environmental sustainability.

    The Council Manager, Ijede Local Government, Mrs Ayodele Oluwakemi, called on residents to embrace the initiative, sort their waste, and turn in the recyclables to the hub in exchange for value, noting that this will contribute to a cleaner, greener Ijede.

    Similarly, Roseline Idehai, representing Eco Barter, added: “At Eco Barter, we believe waste is not a problem, but an opportunity. Our partnership with Sahara Group Foundation ensures this opportunity becomes a sustainable reality, empowering individuals and inspiring collective action toward a cleaner Lagos. We allow people to use their waste as currency and get value for every waste recycled”.

    The Personal Assistant to the Executive Chairman, Ijede Local Government, Disu Shoyiga, noted the health benefits of the initiative, stating: “A cleaner environment translates directly into healthier lives. And the add-on of this project is the economic value it brings to the people. We are grateful to the Sahara Group Foundation and will ensure that the hub remains viable”.

    Reiterating Sahara Group Foundation’s vision, Menakaya added, “The Sahara Go Recycling project is creating a ripple effect across Lagos, enabling households and communities to see value in responsible waste management. Through strategic partnerships, we are amplifying impact and building sustainable ecosystems for future generations.”

    “At Sahara Group Foundation, we believe in EXTRApreneurship, building sustainable ecosystems through collaborations that inspire change. With Ijede now part of our network, we are one step closer to a truly circular economy in Nigeria,” she concluded.

    Sahara Group Foundation plans to expand the Go Recycling Initiative to more communities in Lagos and across Africa, reinforcing its mission of “Building Sustainable Communities through EXTRApreneurship.”

    The new hub in Ijede was implemented in partnership with Egbin Power Plc, Ijede LCDA, and EcoBarter. It provides a convenient drop-off point for recyclable materials, including plastics, cartons, paper, and aluminium cans.

    Residents are encouraged to exchange waste for incentives at the hub – joining a growing network of locations across Lagos, such as Ijora, Ikorodu, Agege, Festac, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island, Oworonshoki, Ikotun, Apapa, Igbogbo Baiyeku, Kosofe, Ifako-Ijaye, and Navy Town.

  • $100m support for African enterpreneurs

    $100m support for African enterpreneurs

    In line with its overarching transformative Extrapreneurship model, the Sahara Group Foundation, the social impact vehicle of energy conglomerate, Sahara Group, has officially flagged off its Making A Difference Around Africa (MADAA) initiative aimed at giving wings to the aspirations of African entrepreneurs.

    Speaking at the unveiling of MADAA, which attracted stakeholders from corporate businesses, entrepreneurs, the Head of Programmes at Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said the initiative promises sustainable economic opportunities to its target demography, which are budding entrepreneurs with remarkable business ideas.

    According to her, “MADAA is a strategic platform developed by to identify entrepreneurs and social innovators who are on the cusp of greatness and provides the much-needed impetus to scale their novel ideas, as well as their small businesses, to great heights.”

    “MADAA seeks to support African home-grown innovations and businesses to succeed, scale and thrive sustainably, thereby establishing an integrated ecosystem of collaborators actively contributing toward transforming economic development in Africa,” Menakaya added.

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    She further explained that the launch of the MADAA initiative underscores Sahara Group Foundation’s unwavering commitment to “building sustainable communities through Extrapreneurship” and represents the first project amongst an array of curated social interventions designed to promote sustainable development in Africa by growing and scaling the base of entrepreneurs who have exceptional ideas that can transform the continent’s economic fortunes.

    “We are actively on the lookout for the extraordinary, the unusual, those whose business ideas can be nursed to fruition sustainably, particularly with the deployment of locally occurring resources. Entrepreneurs desirous of moving their craft to the next level need to head to www.saharagroupfoundation.org to apply for MADDAA right away” Menakaya emphasized.

    Beneficiaries shortlisted for the scheme will have access to a robust suite of resources, including financial and investment support worth $100 million and mentorship from seasoned industry experts. MADAA’s launch comes amid Sahara Group Foundation’s drive for inclusiveness and progressive partnerships that promote expansion, business advisory, and capacity development in the Medium Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) sector across the continent.

    The application for the initiative ends this month while shortlisting of candidates begins in December ahead of the final selection of beneficiaries to feature on the actual programme which starts in the first quarter of 2025.

  • Foundation to boost MSMEs growth

    Foundation to boost MSMEs growth

    Sahara Group Foundation, an arm of the Sahara Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigeria Philanthropy Office (NPO) to facilitate philanthropic and investment support for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in targeted sectors of the economy.

    The MoU represents another milestone for Sahara Group Foundation in furtherance of its commitment to promoting access to energy and sustainable societies.

    The Director, Governance and Sustainability Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray, said the partnership with the NPO will reinforce the critical role of entrepreneurship in the quest for sustainable development in Nigeria and become a template for “giving wings to the entrepreneurial spirit of the African Youth.”

    The Chairperson, NPO, Ms Thelma Ekiyor, said the MOU and subsequent implementation of strategic projects would serve as a catalyst for significant job creation opportunities within the sectors to be supported.

    “This partnership aims to orchestrate high-level catalytic philanthropic and impact investing support for MSMEs operating in targeted sectors including Fashion, Furniture Manufacturing, Agro- Processing, and Renewal Energy with significant potential for job creation,” she said.

    According to a report by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), MSMEs form a significant part of Nigeria’s economy by contributing about 48 per cent of the national GDP, yet simultaneously face major challenges such as low access to finance, inability to secure loans from banks due to stringent collateral requirements and high interest rates.

    MSMEs in Nigeria also suffer from inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent power supply and high operating costs.

    Head, Programmes, Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said the partnership seeks to provide prospects for “repositioning and transforming MSMEs” through activities such as training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.

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    Menakaya further emphasised that Sahara Group Foundation through various programmes provided platforms for fostering sustainable growth for MSMEs, particularly in the aspect of seed funding, finance, strategy, branding and scaling advisory and opportunities for many startups.

    She said: “Through our extrapreneurship strategy, pan-African initiatives such as the Sahara MAD Challenge (formerly named Sahara Impact Fund) and the Making a Difference Around Africa initiative, we are creating essential platforms for driving sustainable MSME growth across the value chain to enable young entrepreneurs and startups thrive and contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development.”