The Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Program (iDICE). iDICE is a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative promoting investment in digital and creative industries. It is part of Nigeria’s efforts to build back better, greener, and more inclusively, and to create more sustainable jobs for its youthful population.
The $617.7 million program targets Nigerians aged 15 to 35 years who are involved in innovative, early-stage, technology-enabled start-ups or in creative sector micro, small and medium sized enterprises. The program is co-financed by the Federal Government of Nigeria (through the Bank of Industry), African Development Bank (AfDB), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
Program Objectives
The iDICE Program aims to:
Harness Nigeria’s youth talent pool (from ages 15 to 35 years) and equip them with tech and creative skills to increase their employability
Foster innovation, and support the emergence of more entrepreneurs; supporting their growth and unlocking their potential to create employment; and
Support enactment of enabling regulatory frameworks and policies for new businesses and innovative ventures.
Program Components
The program is broken down across three components.
Skills and Enterprise Development: It aims to equip youth between 15-35 years with tech and creative skills, generate high-potential start-ups and build a community of developers, software engineers, designers and thought leaders. They would also be linked to jobs by scaling up collaboration with major tech companies, creative enterprises and other private sector players. Under this component, an enabling environment/ infrastructure will be provided so that tech and creative entrepreneurship can thrive.
Access to Appropriate Financing for tech and creative start-ups: This component will focus on funding and nurturing technology and creative enterprises, including start-ups and SMEs. The objective of this component is to bridge existing gaps in private equity and investment in Nigeria.
Enabling Environment and Institutional support: In collaboration with key MDAs, policies which seek to protect start-ups and investors in the tech and creative space will be enacted.
For more info visit www.idice.ng
