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iDICE Programme Expands Funding Portfolio with Two New Funds in 2026
The Federal Government has announced that its Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme will roll out two new funding vehicles in 2026. Both vehicles will be targeting high-growth startups in Nigeria’s technology and creative industries.
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This announcement comes after the programme closed its first round of fundraising last Thursday, securing $64 million in investor commitments.
A $617m Programme Targeting Nigeria’s Young Innovators
iDICE is a $617 million national initiative designed to provide young Nigerians aged 15–35 with training, funding, and support in the technology and creative sectors.
The initiative aims to drive job creation, boost innovation, and stimulate entrepreneurship nationwide.
The programme is funded by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the French Development Agency (AFD). The Bank of Industry (BoI) serves as co-investor and implementing agency.
Two New Funds Coming in 2026
According to the iDICE management team, 2026 will see the introduction of:
- A Creative Sector Fund dedicated to investing in startups across Nigeria’s film, fashion, music, animation, digital arts, and entertainment industries.
- A Fund of Funds, which will invest in smaller venture funds supporting both technology and creative-sector startups.
These additions are expected to expand the programme’s reach and strengthen the nation’s innovation and entrepreneurship pipeline.
Government: iDICE Marks “A Leap Forward” for Youth Development
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the iDICE Steering Committee, described the programme’s formal investment kick-off — marked by anchor funding in a new Ventures Platform venture fund — as “an exciting milestone that will leverage the potential of Nigerian youth.”
Ventures Platform was selected in August 2025 as Fund Manager for the technology component of iDICE after a competitive, partner-supervised process.
Shettima noted that the launch aligns fully with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment and digital innovation.
BoI, Ventures Platform Welcome Milestone
Olasupo Olusi, MD/CEO of the Bank of Industry, said the investment into Ventures Platform Fund II was well conceived. It will drive the Federal Government’s goal of scaling Nigeria’s tech and creative sectors through strategic backing of high-growth, technology-enabled businesses.
He added that the initiative supports broader national economic transformation objectives, including job creation and entrepreneurship development.
Kola Aina, Founding Partner at Ventures Platform, expressed confidence in the collaboration. He said the fund is committed to helping young innovators bring solutions to life, generate value, and transform Nigeria’s economy.
