The Sahara Impact Fund

A strategic partnership between Sahara Foundation, Ford Foundation, LEAP Africa and Impact Investment Foundation created to support the generation of innovative solutions which will increase access to clean energy, promote sustainable environments all targeted at accelerating attainment of the SDGs in a manner that results in measurable social impact.

The fund’s capacity set at over $100,000 with opportunity for incremental access by beneficiaries based on impact is open to youth across Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d‘ Ivoire, Kenya, Guinea, South Sudan, Tanzania, Cameroun and Zambia. The programme will directly support 10 social entrepreneurs who will in- turn impact over 1500 beneficiaries within their immediate communities in a sustainable manner annually.

Sahara Technical Regenerator Programme (STRP)

To build the capacity of 120 youths in Nigeria (Lagos, Rivers and Edo) in two technical skills areas – Meter Installations (100 beneficiaries) and Solar Systems Installation & Maintenance (20 beneficiaries). Of the 100 beneficiaries for the meter installation training, we plan to have 50 of them in Lagos and a major outcome would be that they form a pool of potential technicians who will support Ikeja Electric’s efforts to meter consumers within its network in Lagos. The call for application will be targeted across IE’s Business Units.

Recycle Exchange Hub in Ijora

The Ijora Recycle Exchange Hub in partnership with WeCyclers, (a social enterprise which gives low-income communities in Nigeria a chance to capture value from waste and clean up their neighborhoods through incentive-based recycling). The Recycle Hub will serve the Ijora community to properly collect recyclable waste and ensure a sustainable environment for all. Community members can exchange their recyclables for benefits such as cash and health insurance. This is also a means to improve the livelihoods of the people. This initiative aligns with the Foundation’s pillar of ‘promoting suitable environments’.