iDICE Startup Program to Aid 500+ Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

The iDICE Startup Bridge program has been officially launched to support over 500 tech entrepreneurs across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This initiative is designed to provide structured pathways for early-stage founders to validate their ideas and scale their businesses.

The program is a collaborative effort involving the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry (BOI), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the iDICE Steering Committee, emphasized the program's role in unlocking sustainable job creation and economic inclusion for Nigeria's youth population.

Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOI, reaffirmed the bank's commitment to strengthening the country's innovation pipeline. The program aims to support 125 aspiring entrepreneurs through a structured approach that connects them with potential proof of concept capital, ensuring their business models are validated.