The federal government has taken a significant step towards revitalizing Nigeria’s digital and creative landscape by inaugurating a technical committee to initiate the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) Program.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who led the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, expressed optimism about the program’s potential to redefine the nation’s digital and creative sectors.
The i-DICE Program, a collaborative effort between the government and international partners such as the Bank of Industry (BoI), African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (FDA), and Islamic Development Bank (IDB), aims to nurture and empower enterprises in these sectors.
Endorsement by NEC The National Economic Council (NEC) recently endorsed the implementation of the program across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Vice-President Shettima, describing the development as the dawn of a new era in Nigeria, highlighted the Ministry of Finance’s role in ensuring the expeditious disbursement of funds for the i-DICE Program to facilitate its swift implementation.
Partnerships and Collaboration He emphasized the significance of partnerships forged with institutions, referring to them as a “convergence of vision and purpose” aimed at achieving shared prosperity. Shettima commended the meticulous preparations by the Ministry of Finance and partners, affirming the program’s readiness to unleash its full potential.
Technical Committee’s Role Tope Fasua, Chairman of the Technical Committee on the i-DICE program and Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, emphasized the substantial financial backing behind i-DICE, highlighting its potential to drive transformative change in Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors.
He noted that the selection of fund managers for the program was being conducted through an open and transparent process guided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to ensure accountability.
Anticipated Milestones Fasua announced that the groundwork for fund disbursement was laid, with the first drawdown of funds anticipated on April 15th, marking a significant milestone in the program’s implementation.
Acknowledgments and Gratitude He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to contribute to society and the nation’s economic development through the i-DICE program.
The inauguration of the technical committee marks a crucial step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to harness the potential of its digital and creative industries, signaling a commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and economic growth.
