Nigeria to Launch the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Program (i-DICE)
Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the President of the African Development Bank Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and other partners launch the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) Program in Abuja on Tuesday, 14 March 2023.
What is I-DICE Program? i-DICE is a Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Program to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Industries, as part of efforts to build back better, greener, and more inclusively, in support of the government’s agenda to create more and sustainable jobs.
I-DICE Beneficiaries Will Be:
1. The Program directly targets Nigerian young women and men (15-35 years)
2. Entrepreneurs
3. Innovative early stage growth technology enabled ventures and creative sector micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) which includes:
a. Accelerators
b. Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms
c. Federal, State and Private universities and polytechnics and key participating Federal Ministries and Agencies.
d. Notably in terms of gender, a dedicated budget of USS 1.14 million will nurture women led Start-ups both in the technology and creative sectors.
e. The direct beneficiaries of the Program will be selected based on transparent selection criteria or competitive calls. The Program will have a national coverage with all the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory eligible to benefit from the program.
The I-Dice program is supported by the African Development Bank, Agence Francaise de Developpement, and The Islamic Development Bank, and have raised over $618 million to make this a reality.
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