In November 2023, the Nigerian government will begin a $617 million program to boost employment in the tech and creative industries. This initiative, known as the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) program, aims to give young Nigerians the tools and assistance they need to launch and expand their own enterprises.

The i-DICE Steering Committee has been given the go-ahead to launch the program by the end of November, and Vice President Kashim Shettima has stressed the significance of the initiative to the government’s drive for digital jobs. Additionally, he has advised all program participants to make sure the money are spent wisely, stating that the i-DICE program may completely alter Nigeria’s economic landscape.

The i-DICE programme will cover a wide range of sectors, including digital technology, creative industries, and entertainment. It will provide grants, loans, and equity to startups, and will also provide training and support to young entrepreneurs.

The program is expected to create 1.2 million jobs and will be particularly beneficial to women, who will account for 50% of participants.