TradeCard, a gift card platform, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Harvester Africa Empowerment Foundation (HAEF) to launch ‘Routes of Hope’, a community initiative aimed at reducing transportation barriers for low-income workers, students, and vulnerable groups in Lagos.

This was announced during its launch in Lagos, where both organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to embark on the deal.

The initiative, according to the partners, would provide safe and affordable mobility services that help ease the financial burden of commuters.

The operation which began on September 5, 2025, shortly after the launch, they said three co-branded buses would operate across high-demand routes, offering subsidised rides to thousands of commuters during the 12-week pilot phase, where each commuter is expected to save significantly on daily transport costs through exclusive TradeCard ride codes.

Hinting at how it works, Operation Consultant, TradeCard,
Clever Sunny said, “Transportation remains one of the most pressing barriers to opportunity in Nigeria. With Routes of Hope, we are responding directly to that challenge by supporting people on their journey to work, school, and healthcare access. This is about creating dignity and improving quality of life for those who need it most.”

He said the partnership combines TradeCard’s expertise in digital finance and user engagement with HAEF’s extensive community presence and history of social impact.

Beyond the buses, Sunny said both organisations would collaborate on awareness campaigns, gather commuter feedback to refine the service, and explore future programmes in areas such as youth empowerment and nutrition.

Adding that “Routes of Hope was more than a transport service Sunny said it was a reminder that businesses could create lasting value when they choose to invest in people and communities.

Speaking on the partnership, Diepriye Okunye-Olu, Team Lead, HAEF, “Our mission has always been to empower communities with access and opportunity. Partnering with TradeCard enables us to reach a wider audience with reliable solutions. What makes this collaboration special is the shared commitment to transparency, sustainability, and genuine impact.”

She said TradeCard and HAEF are also developing a long-term plan to keep the initiative alive beyond the pilot.

She said this includes building funding partnerships, introducing digital reward systems through the TradeCard app, and expanding to more routes based on community demand.

Okunye-Olu explained that the launch of Routes of Hope highlighted how private companies and social organisations could work together to deliver solutions that address real needs, adding that it also provided a framework that could be replicated in other sectors where collaboration is urgently required.