Reckitt Nigeria has awarded ₦48 million to four startups solving hygiene and health issues in communities.
The winners will also receive mentorship through a partnership with Yunus Social Innovation in Lagos.
Reckitt Nigeria has concluded the 2024 edition of its Access Accelerator Program by awarding ₦48 million in seed funding to four Nigerian startups focused on improving health, hygiene, and sanitation across underserved communities.
Each of the four winning enterprises, Geotek, HealthTracka, MN Environmental Services, and Preggify, received ₦12 million in funding. These startups are tackling pressing issues such as clean water access, public sanitation, maternal health, and at-home diagnostic solutions.
The program, which took place in Lagos, was delivered in partnership with Yunus Social Innovation (YSI) and also provided mentorship and business development support to the selected ventures.
“Solving the world’s toughest hygiene challenges requires scalable, locally driven innovation,” said Akbar Ali Shah, Reckitt’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa. “Millions across Sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to basic sanitation, and we believe health begins in our communities.”
The Access Accelerator Program forms a key part of Reckitt’s social impact strategy, which aims to support innovation that addresses real-life health challenges. Since its inception, the initiative has reportedly impacted more than 500,000 people and has been recognized globally, including by the World Economic Forum. It now operates innovation hubs in both Nigeria and Indonesia.
Niklas Lange, Program Director at YSI, highlighted the importance of tackling these challenges through local solutions. “Globally, 1 in 2 people lack access to safe water and sanitation. These are not just statistics; they are lived realities,” he said. “We’re proud of what this partnership has accomplished and excited about what’s ahead.”
