The Federal Government has officially moved to solidify Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading tech hub with the launch of the iDICE Startup Bridge, a nationwide initiative set to provide a structured lifeline to over 500 technology entrepreneurs.
This ambitious programme offers a strategic mix of intensive training, multi-million naira grants, and six-figure equity investments to founders across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Operating under the broader Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme, the initiative is a collaborative powerhouse funded by the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank, with the Bank of Industry serving as the primary implementing agency.
The programme is strategically divided into two distinct streams to address the varying needs of the ecosystem: the Founders Lab, a twelve-week incubator for idea-stage ventures, and the Growth Lab, designed to scale start-ups that already show market traction and revenue potential.
Speaking on the initiative in a statement, the Chairman of the iDICE Steering Committee, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said, “iDICE was created to unlock sustainable jobs and economic inclusion for Nigeria’s youthful population. This programme gives young entrepreneurs across the country a real opportunity to build or scale, and we are confident in its ability to reshape early-stage enterprise development and innovation outcomes over time.”
This launch comes on the heels of a historic financial year for the Bank of Industry, during which Dr Olasupo Olusi highlighted that the bank’s commitment to the digital economy is now backed by unprecedented capital deployment.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Olusi, said, “In 2025, we achieved a record total disbursement of N636bn to enterprises across Nigeria, marking the largest annual disbursement in the Bank’s history. Out of this figure, N43bn was disbursed to projects in the creative and digital sectors. We are happy to replicate our success over time with the iDICE Startup Bridge as well.”
For many Nigerian founders, the transition from a brilliant idea to a functional business model is often hindered by a lack of early-stage capital. The Founders Lab aims to bridge this specific gap by providing N10,000,000 grants to 100 high-performing participants annually, while the Growth Lab will offer $100,000 equity investments to start-ups demonstrating operational readiness.
“Founders Lab is a bridge that connects potential to proof and proof to capital. Each cohort will support 125 aspiring entrepreneurs, with a clear target of ensuring progress from concept to validated business models. This programme is built for people with innovative ideas, early prototypes, or unanswered questions about how to take their first real step,” said the Head of Founders Lab, iDICE Startup Bridge, Cindy Ezerioha.
