Sahara Group Foundation, Plan International Nigeria Partner to Drive Inclusive Recycling and Livelihoods

Sahara Group Foundation has strengthened its commitment to community empowerment and environmental sustainability with the signing of a Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Plan International Nigeria. The collaboration is set to expand inclusive, community led recycling initiatives under the Foundation’s flagship Sahara Go Recycling Project.The partnership brings together Sahara Group Foundation’s waste-to-wealth model and Plan International Nigeria’s long-standing expertise in child rights, gender equality and community development. At its core, the alliance aims to ensure that environmental action also delivers economic opportunity, social inclusion and protection for vulnerable children, young people and women.Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Director of Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, described the initiative as a convergence of climate responsibility and human development.

She noted that Sahara Go Recycling, launched in 2021, was intentionally designed to go beyond waste management by creating dignified livelihoods and unlocking grassroots economic opportunities.According to Menakaya, the programme transforms recyclable waste into value while opening pathways for income generation, entrepreneurship and household resilience. The partnership with Plan International, she added, strengthens the project’s impact by embedding empowerment, inclusion and long-term sustainability into its implementation.Also speaking, Dr. Charles Usie, Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, welcomed the collaboration as a meaningful step towards building a more equitable future for girls and their communities. He emphasised that when environmental initiatives are deliberately structured to create livelihoods and dignity, girls are better positioned to learn, develop skills and contribute productively to society.Through this partnership, both organisations reaffirm their shared vision of communities where environmental stewardship drives economic empowerment, social protection and inclusive growth. The expanded Sahara Go Recycling Project is expected to deepen local participation, support vulnerable groups and demonstrate how corporate social responsibility can deliver measurable impact at the intersection of climate action and human developm

The partnership is also expected to strengthen community ownership of recycling value chains by integrating education, skills development and social safeguards into programme delivery. By leveraging Plan International Nigeria’s extensive grassroots networks, the initiative will promote safe participation, especially for women and young people, while reinforcing child protection and gender-responsive approaches within participating communities.
Beyond environmental benefits, the expanded Sahara Go Recycling Project will focus on building resilient local economies. Participants will be supported to transition from informal waste collection into structured, income-generating enterprises, contributing to improved household incomes and reduced environmental pollution.

The initiative further aligns with national and global sustainability goals, including climate action, decent work and reduced inequalities.
Both organisations underscored that the collaboration reflects a broader vision of shared value where corporate responsibility, development expertise and community engagement intersect to deliver long-term impact. As implementation unfolds, the partnership is expected to serve as a scalable model for inclusive recycling and community empowerment across Nigeria.
With this alliance, Sahara Group Foundation and Plan International Nigeria are positioning recycling not just as an environmental solution, but as a catalyst for dignity, opportunity and sustainable development in underserved communities.