FG unveils iDICE programme to assist startups

The Federal Authorities of Nigeria has launched the iDICE Startup Bridge, a nationwide initiative aimed toward supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage tech founders throughout the nation. The programme is ready to again greater than 500 start-ups by structured coaching, grants, and fairness funding, in response to a press release on Tuesday.

Working below the Funding in Digital and Inventive Enterprises Programme, the initiative is carried out by the Bank of Industry and funded by the African Improvement Financial institution, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Improvement Financial institution. The programme goals to strengthen Nigeria’s start-up ecosystem, create jobs, and broaden entry to capital for digital and artistic enterprises.

The iDICE Startup Bridge gives two distinct pathways: Founders Lab, now open for purposes, helps idea-stage and early prototype founders with a 12-week coaching programme, mentorship, and grants of as much as N10 million for high-performing contributors. Development Lab, set to launch in a later section, will present post-minimum viable product start-ups demonstrating traction with a $100,000 fairness funding and assist to scale operations and safe additional funding.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the iDICE Steering Committee, mentioned the programme was created to “unlock sustainable jobs and financial inclusion for Nigeria’s youthful inhabitants”, including that it offers younger entrepreneurs with the chance to construct and scale their ventures.

Managing Director and Chief Govt Officer of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi, famous that the financial institution has a observe document of supporting enterprise growth, highlighting that N43bn was disbursed to artistic and digital initiatives in 2025. He inspired entrepreneurs to use for Founders Lab earlier than the 20 April 2026 deadline.

Head of Founders Lab, Cindy Ezerioha, described the programme as “a bridge that connects potential to proof and proof to capital”, emphasising its structured method to serving to contributors flip concepts into validated enterprise fashions.

Over successive cohorts, the iDICE Startup Bridge is predicted to considerably increase Nigeria’s innovation pipeline and contribute to the expansion of the nation’s digital and artistic sectors.