Nigeria Seeks Expressions of Interest for Startup Support Program Capacity Building
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) is seeking Expressions of Interest for capacity development initiatives aimed at improving service delivery for startups. This effort is part of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme. The program is being financed through funding secured from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The objective is to enhance the capabilities of Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) that play a crucial role in nurturing and developing new businesses within Nigeria. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to fostering a more robust and supportive ecosystem for digital and creative startups. The call for expressions of interest is a critical step in identifying and engaging suitable organizations to contribute to the program's success. Successful ESOs will be instrumental in delivering improved services to entrepreneurs and innovators across the country.
The Nigerian government's iDICE Programme, supported by international financial institutions like the AfDB, AFD, and IsDB, signals a strategic focus on developing its digital and creative sectors. By investing in the capacity of Enterprise Support Organizations, the FGN aims to create a more effective pipeline for nurturing startups. This approach leverages existing intermediary structures to scale impact, acknowledging that direct intervention may be less efficient. The success of this program will hinge on the FGN's ability to identify and onboard truly capable ESOs, and on the ESOs' subsequent effectiveness in translating capacity gains into tangible improvements for Nigerian entrepreneurs. Future evaluations should consider the long-term sustainability of these ESOs and their contribution to innovation and job creation within the digital and creative economy.
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