Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Sayfa is a ride-sharing social enterprise providing safe transportation for low-income women in urban centers, partially funded by revenue from high-income users. Our proximity-based system enhances accessibility while ensuring safety and economic growth

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Sayfa is a ride-sharing social enterprise that provides safe, affordable, and reliable transportation for low-income women in urban Nigeria. It addresses the critical issue of violence and exploitation faced by women in overcrowded, unregulated public transit, which poses a major safety risk and financial burden. Sayfa operates a proximity-based system where women from underserved communities can cluster to reduce technology and internet barriers. The enterprise offers a regular car-hailing service for high-income women, with 40% of the revenue subsidizing rides for low-income women. By collaborating with local organizations, advocating for policy changes, and engaging with communities, Sayfa aims to create a significant impact on the lives of low-income women. It empowers them through accessible transportation, reduces the risk of violence, and promotes safety, affordability, and dignity in their daily commutes. Sayfa's unique business model combines profitability with social impact,

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem Sayfa aims to solve is the lack of safe and affordable transportation for low-income women in large Nigerian cities like Abuja and Lagos. These women face a major safety risk due to overcrowded, unregulated public transportation, where they are vulnerable to violent crimes such as rape, murder, and kidnapping (One chance). High transportation costs force low-income women to rely on cheaper, riskier options, consuming up to 60% of their yearly income. While victim-blaming attitudes discourage reporting and allow perpetrators to escape justice. This transportation crisis causes devastating levels of trauma, suffering, and economic hardship for these women. Sayfa aims to address this problem by providing safe, affordable, and reliable transportation alternatives for low-income women, using a cross-subsidization model where revenue from high-income users helps subsidizes rides for those in underserved communities.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The main problem Sayfa aims to solve is the lack of safe and affordable transportation for low-income women in large Nigerian cities like Abuja and Lagos. These women face a major safety risk due to overcrowded, unregulated public transportation, where they are vulnerable to violent crimes such as rape, murder, and kidnapping (One chance). High transportation costs force low-income women to rely on cheaper, riskier options, consuming up to 60% of their yearly income. This transportation crisis causes devastating levels of trauma, suffering, and economic hardship for these women. Sayfa aims to address this problem by providing safe, affordable, and reliable transportation alternatives for low-income women, using a cross-subsidization model where revenue from high-income users helps subsidizes rides for those in underserved communities. By prioritizing women's safety and dignity, Sayfa seeks to create systemic change and empower women in urban Nigeria.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Sayfa primarily targets low-income women living in underserved communities within large Nigerian cities like Abuja and Lagos. These women often face significant safety risks and financial burdens when using overcrowded, unregulated public transportation to commute to work and support their families. The targeted beneficiaries include: 1. Women from low-income households who spend a disproportionate amount of their income on transportation. 2. Women living in areas with insufficient law enforcement presence and slow response times. 3. Women who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence, harassment, or exploitation during their daily commutes. 4. Women who lack access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options. Secondarily, Sayfa also serves high-income earning women who can use the platform to book shared rides, contributing to the cross-subsidization model that helps fund rides for low-income women.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-04-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Abraham Sarki: is a skilled Program Manager, social entrepreneur, Communications Specialist, and Climate and energy with a strong background in nonprofit leadership, project management, and social impact funding. His experience includes managing diverse teams and spearheading initiatives for environmental/energy sustainability and social empowerment. Abraham excels in leadership, program management, and strategic planning. Khadijah El-Usman: Experienced development professional with a background in law and expertise in digital rights, policy advocacy, and project management. Proven track record of successfully coordinating multidisciplinary teams, influencing technology legislation, and implementing impactful projects across Anglophone West Africa. Skilled in legal research, technology and fostering strategic partnerships. Committed to advancing open internet, digital rights and privacy. Certified Project Manager with ongoing LLM studies.  

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://sayfarides.com

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Transportation

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Sayfa meets the No Poverty SDG by providing low-income women with affordable, reliable transportation, enabling access to job opportunities, education, and healthcare. By reducing transportation costs, we free up income for essential needs, helping to lift women and their families out of poverty. Our revenue-sharing model ensures financial support for underserved communities, fostering economic inclusion and stability.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Sayfa supports Good Health and Well-Being by offering safe transportation, reducing the risk of accidents, harassment, and violence. Reliable access to healthcare facilities becomes easier, ensuring timely medical visits for women and their families. By alleviating the stress associated with unsafe and unreliable transport, Sayfa promotes mental well-being by reducing the risks trauma and contributes to a healthier, more secure community.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Sayfa promotes Decent Work and Economic Growth by providing affordable transport, enabling low-income women to access job opportunities, vocational training, and education as we will be proving jobs for women. By ensuring safe and reliable commuting, Sayfa helps women maintain consistent employment. The revenue-sharing model supports underserved communities, fostering economic inclusion, reducing poverty, and contributing to sustained, inclusive economic growth.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Sayfa’s approach to transportation addresses critical challenges faced by low-income women in urban centers, aligning with the SDG of Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. By building resilient infrastructure through a proximity-based model and technology integration, promoting inclusive economic growth with a sustainable revenue-sharing model, and fostering innovation through community-based solutions, Sayfa not only meets immediate transportation needs but also contributes to long-term industrial and economic development. This multifaceted approach ensures that Sayfa is not just a transportation service but a catalyst for broader social and economic change, making cities more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Sayfa contributes to reducing inequalities by providing affordable, safe transportation options specifically designed for low-income women. By improving access to essential services, job opportunities, and educational institutions, Sayfa helps mitigate disparities within urban communities. This initiative promotes more equitable participation in economic and social activities, ultimately contributing to reducing inequality within cities and fostering inclusive growth.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Sayfa exemplifies a comprehensive strategy to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Through inclusive transportation solutions that prioritize accessibility and community engagement, Sayfa enhances urban mobility and promotes equitable access to opportunities. Advanced safety measures and resilient infrastructure contribute to creating safer urban environments, while promoting environmental and economic sustainability. By addressing urban challenges and fostering community resilience, Sayfa aligns with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 11, ensuring that cities and human settlements become more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable for all residents.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Sayfa exemplifies the transformative power of partnerships in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Through collaborative efforts with public sector entities, NGOs, corporate partners, impact investors, and international stakeholders, Sayfa strengthens the means of implementation for sustainable development. By fostering inclusive partnerships, promoting capacity building, mobilizing financial resources, and advocating for policy change, Sayfa contributes to revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development. Together with its partners, Sayfa envisions a future where cities are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, driven by collaborative efforts to build a better world for all.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

3

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

Sayfa innovates by addressing the unmet need for safe and affordable transportation among low-income women in urban Nigeria. While ride-sharing services exist, they often cater to middle and high-income users, leaving a significant gap in the market. Sayfa carves out a new customer segment by specifically targeting low-income women and tailoring its services to their unique challenges, such as safety concerns and financial constraints. The proximity-based system and clustering model further differentiate Sayfa from existing ride-sharing platforms. By leveraging the revenue from high-income users to subsidize rides for low-income women, Sayfa creates a sustainable and innovative cross-subsidization model that ensures affordability without compromising on safety or quality. This innovative approach not only fills a critical gap in the market but also creates a new customer segment that has been largely overlooked by existing transportation services.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Sayfa's main potential competitors include: 1. Traditional ride-sharing companies (e.g., Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida) 2. Public transportation (e.g., buses, taxis): These options are often overcrowded, unregulated, and pose significant safety risks for women. They also lack the targeted approach to serving low-income women's needs. Differentials 1. Focusing specifically on the unique needs of low-income women in urban Nigeria, addressing both safety and affordability concerns. 2. Implementing a cross-subsidization model that ensures affordability for low-income women while maintaining financial sustainability. 3. Utilizing a proximity-based system and clustering model to reduce technology and internet barriers for women in underserved communities. 4. Collaborating with local organizations and communities to provide a holistic approach to women's empowerment, beyond just transportation.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Sayfa is actively promoting the role of female entrepreneurs within its community through various initiatives. The co-founder of Sayfa is a woman, setting a strong example for aspiring female entrepreneurs. The enterprise is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce, with a target of 70% of its core team being women, providing employment opportunities and ensuring women's perspectives are well-represented in decision-making processes. Sayfa has also engaged women to lead and facilitate its market research and insight-gathering initiatives, ensuring that the unique needs and challenges of low-income women in urban Nigeria are accurately understood and addressed in its service design and delivery. Through collaborations with local organizations, Sayfa aims to provide a holistic approach to women's empowerment, promoting female entrepreneurship through skill development programs, mentorship, and networking opportunities.