Sahara Group Foundation launches community impact project to drive economic transformation across Africa
Sahara Group Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Sahara Group, has unveiled a major development initiative aimed at accelerating economic growth and empowering underserved communities across Africa.
The new programme, known as the Sahara Community Impact Project (SCIP), is designed to stimulate entrepreneurship, boost job creation, and unlock local enterprise potential through specialised community business hubs.
Speaking during a briefing with media stakeholders, Director of Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said SCIP represents the organisation’s long-term commitment to inclusive growth, sustainability, and innovation.
According to her, the initiative will build business hubs tailored to the unique economic strengths of each participating community.
“From agriculture, trade, craftsmanship, services to emerging innovations, Sahara Group Foundation is looking to ultimately build specialised regional hubs with export potential by unlocking local talent and enterprise potential,” Menakaya said.
She stressed that SCIP hubs will be built to promote entrepreneurship, strengthen small businesses, and reduce resource waste by leveraging Sahara’s EXTRApreneurship model.
“At Sahara Group Foundation, we define impact as the ability to drive real, sustainable transformation in the lives of individuals and the communities we serve. SCIP embodies this vision by creating business hubs that not only empower local entrepreneurs but also propel economic resilience and innovation across Africa,” she added.
Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, noted that the programme will begin in Nigeria before expanding across the continent.
He described SCIP as a blueprint for “community-led economic transformation across Africa.”
“SCIP is more than a project; it is a commitment to building sustainable communities through capacity building, job creation, and strategic partnerships,” Obioma said.
“By reducing resource waste and improving production efficiency, Sahara is laying the foundation for a future where communities can compete globally while preserving local identity.”
The project is scheduled to officially commence in January 2026, with interested communities and entrepreneurs encouraged to apply through Sahara Group Foundation’s official platforms. Applications will be assessed based on alignment with SCIP’s objectives, after which selected participants will receive training, mentorship, and access to shared facilities.
The community business hubs will provide shared processing and production spaces to reduce operational costs and improve product quality. They will also offer training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, branding, digital skills, and support improved market access through structured value chains.
Additionally, communities will benefit from enhanced financing opportunities through partnerships with financial institutions.
David Ayinde, Project Lead at Sahara Group Foundation, urged media partners, community leaders, and entrepreneurs to support and amplify the programme’s rollout, noting that community referrals will open in the first quarter of 2026.
“Through sustained media reports and collaborative participation from all stakeholders, we envision SCIP becoming a beacon of sustainable development, empowering communities to grow from within,” Ayinde said.
SCIP is structured with an in-built assessment framework to ensure measurable, long-term impact and sustainability across all participating communities.