Bethel Obioma, head, corporate communications at Sahara Group; and Chidilim Menakaya, director of Sahara Group Foundation
The Sahara Group Foundation has announced plans to launch an initiative to support local communities in Nigeria and across Africa to scale their niche businesses.
Speaking on Wednesday during a press briefing in Lagos, Chidilim Menakaya, director of the Sahara Group Foundation, said the Sahara Community Impact Project (SCIP) will officially kick off in January 2026.
Menakaya described the initiative as a continuation of the foundation’s efforts to support entrepreneurs who demonstrate “exceptional passion, resilience, and community impact”.
According to the foundation, the project will create community-based business hubs designed to support local trades and crafts
Advertisement
“These hubs will provide production facilities, processing equipment, and capacity-building support to help communities sustain their businesses across generations,” Menakaya said.
“We want to prevent communities from losing the trades they are traditionally known for.”
Menakaya noted that the hubs will also offer guidance on branding, commercialisation, access to markets, and financing opportunities through partner financial institutions.
Advertisement
She said the foundation is committed to providing the necessary tools and support to ensure that businesses thrive while maintaining environmental sustainability and social impact.
Menakaya said the initiative will officially launch in January 2026 with community sensitisation, followed by a call for nominations and referrals in February.
“We will screen communities carefully to ensure the hubs serve everyone and are not monopolised by a few individuals. The goal is to build long-term, thriving local businesses,” she said.
“We are piloting the project in Nigeria first, but expressions of interest have already come from Ghana, Uganda, and other countries. By 2027, we plan to take the initiative beyond Nigeria.”
Advertisement
Between April and December 2026, the foundation will establish the hubs in selected Nigerian communities, with plans to expand to other African countries in 2027 alongside a full impact assessment.
The foundation said the initiative is also designed to create a pipeline of entrepreneurs who will continue to benefit from its network and support across Africa.
The foundation added that communities with established business niches and evidence of proper organisation will be prioritised in the selection process.
The SCIP forms part of the foundation’s broader strategy to promote economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and job creation.
Advertisement
