The Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme is one of the largest government-backed initiatives designed to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Valued at about $617 million, the programme aims to support young Nigerians, especially those aged 15 to 35, with the skills, funding, and ecosystem support needed to build scalable businesses in technology and creative industries.
The initiative is backed by major international development partners including the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the French Development Agency, with Nigeria’s Bank of Industry serving as the implementing agency and co-investor.
The New Investment Funds Driving the iDICE Strategy
As part of its expansion strategy, the Nigerian government announced plans to launch two additional investment funds in 2026 to deepen financing opportunities for startups across the country.
These funds are designed to address one of the biggest challenges Nigerian startups face: limited access to venture capital and growth funding.
1. Creative Sector Fund
This fund will focus specifically on startups operating in Nigeria’s creative economy, including sectors such as:
- digital media
- film and entertainment
- gaming and animation
- content platforms
- digital design and creative services
The goal is to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s rapidly growing creative industry and turn creative talent into scalable businesses.
2. Fund of Funds for Technology and Creative Startups
The second investment mechanism will operate as a “fund of funds.”
Rather than investing directly into startups, this fund will invest in smaller venture capital funds and investment vehicles that support technology and creative businesses.
This structure allows the government and its partners to multiply the flow of capital into the startup ecosystem, supporting a wider range of early-stage companies across the country.
Connecting Founders to Funding
Within the broader iDICE initiative, the Startup Bridge programme acts as a pipeline designed to help founders move from ideas to scalable ventures.
The programme provides support at different stages of startup development.
Founders Lab (Idea Stage)
Early-stage entrepreneurs with startup ideas can join a 12-week training programme focused on:
- validating business ideas
- developing business models
- building minimum viable products
- preparing for funding
Each year, about 250 entrepreneurs will participate, and the top 100 founders may receive grants of up to ₦10 million to launch their startups.
Growth Lab (Scaling Stage)
Startups that already have working products and early customer traction can enter the Growth Lab, which focuses on scaling operations.
Selected companies may receive equity investment of up to $100,000, along with support in areas such as:
- corporate governance
- fundraising strategy
- investor readiness
- business expansion
The programme will also connect participating startups to institutional investors and venture capital firms.
Building Nigeria’s Innovation Economy
The iDICE programme is part of a broader effort by the Nigerian government to build an innovation-driven economy.
Officials say the initiative aims to:
- stimulate investment in high-growth startups
- create jobs at scale
- empower young entrepreneurs
- strengthen Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors
Government partners believe that by catalysing strategic investments in technology-enabled enterprises, the programme can help drive long-term economic transformation.
Why the iDICE Startup Bridge Matters
For Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, the programme represents more than just a funding initiative.
It is an attempt to build a national innovation pipeline, one that identifies talent across all 36 states, supports founders with mentorship and training, and connects promising startups to the capital required to scale.
If implemented successfully, the iDICE Startup Bridge could become one of the most significant public-sector efforts yet to expand Nigeria’s technology and creative economy.
