Nigeria Launches iDICE Startup Bridge to Fund 500 Early-Stage Founders

The Federal Government of Nigeria today launched the iDICE Startup Bridge, a nationwide programme targeting aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage tech founders. The initiative operates under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme and is implemented by the Bank of Industry, with funding from the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank. The programme aims to back over 500 startups through a combination of structured training, grants, and equity investment. The Startup Bridge offers two pathways. The first, Founders Lab, is currently open for applications and supports idea-stage and early prototype founders with a 12-week training programme and mentorship. High-performing participants can receive grants of up to N10 million. The application deadline is April 20, 2026. The second pathway targets more developed ventures with access to equity investment. Nigeria's Vice-President Kashim Shettima described the programme as designed to "unlock sustainable jobs and economic inclusion for Nigeria's youthful population." The Bank of Industry noted it disbursed N43 billion to creative and digital projects in 2025 alone. The launch comes as Nigerian startup funding faces structural pressure. Equity deals have declined and average deal sizes remain lower than regional peers in Kenya and South Africa. Government-backed capital is stepping into the gap, and the iDICE programme is one of the clearest examples of that shift. For founders who are not yet ready for private investors, structured programmes with grants, mentorship, and a credible institutional backer change what is accessible in the early stage. For anyone in Nigeria building a tech or creative product at the idea or early prototype stage, this is a direct funding pathway worth applying for before April 20. The combination of training, N10 million in potential grants, and access to the Bank of Industry's broader network makes it one of the more practical early-stage opportunities available in Nigeria right now. Building a validated business model before chasing venture capital is the approach that works in the current funding climate, and this programme is designed exactly for that stage.