iDICE

The Federal Government of Nigeria initiated Investment in the Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program in a bid to build capacity and create more sustainable jobs in the technology and creative ecosystems. The primary aim of iDICE is to build capacity and upskill Nigerian youth (from ages 15-35), in technology and creativity to increase their employability, foster innovation, and support the emergence of more entrepreneurs in these ecosystems within the five-year lifespan of this programme.

The iDICE program is broadly categorized into Three broad components:

1. Skills and Enterprise Development: Here, the youth will be trained in in-demand technology and creative skills, build up a community of highly skilled talents and link them to jobs or support them to create innovative enterprises.
2. Expanding Access to Finance: This component will prioritize funding gaps within the technology and creative sectors. This will be done through equity/quasi-equity capital funding into the sectors and the capacity-building window which seeks to prepare startups for success by training and giving them support grants.
3. Enabling Environment: This involves creating, promoting and instituting policies, laws, and programs that encourage the ease of doing business in the technology and creative ecosystems.

The components of the iDICE program are designed to address ecosystem challenges and ensure the growth of the technology and creative sectors.