Sahara Group Foundation has launched the Sahara Community Impact Project (SCIP), an initiative aimed at accelerating economic transformation in African communities. The project is designed to establish community business hubs that leverage local economic niches to foster entrepreneurship and empower small businesses.
According to a statement by the company, SCIP underscores Sahara’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth, sustainability, and innovation through strategic community partnerships. The initiative focuses on building specialized regional hubs with export potential by unlocking local talent and enterprise potential. These hubs will serve as engines for job creation and long-term business sustainability, leveraging Sahara’s EXTRApreneurship model to empower individuals and reduce resource waste.
Director of Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, explained that SCIP embodies the vision of driving real, sustainable transformation in the lives of individuals and communities. The project will pilot in Nigeria and eventually be replicated across Africa to kick-start community-led economic transformation. Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, emphasized that SCIP is a commitment to building sustainable communities through capacity building, job creation, and strategic partnerships.
The project will provide shared processing and production facilities to reduce costs, improve product quality, and offer training and capacity-building in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, branding, and digital skills. It will also enhance access to financing via partnerships with financial institutions. Interested communities or entrepreneurs can submit applications through the Sahara Group Foundation’s official channels, with selected participants undergoing training and mentorship to strengthen their business models.
SCIP is set to officially launch in January 2026, with the community referral call going live in the first quarter of the year. Project Lead David Ayinde expressed his vision for SCIP to become a beacon of sustainable development, empowering communities to grow from within. As the project progresses, it is expected to drive economic transformation and promote sustainable development in African communities. With its focus on community-led economic transformation, SCIP has the potential to make a significant impact in the region.