Nigeria Seeks Consultants to Boost Startup Support Services Through iDICE Programme

Nigeria's burgeoning digital and creative sectors are set to receive a significant boost through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme. The Federal Government of Nigeria, with financial backing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), has launched this initiative to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation.

The iDICE Programme aims to drive economic transformation by nurturing growth within the digital technology and creative ecosystem. It builds upon existing investments and synergies with ongoing initiatives across Nigeria. A key component of the program's implementation involves strengthening the capabilities of Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) that provide services to technology startups.

The Programme Coordination Unit (PCU), managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI), is actively seeking consultants to enhance how ESOs deliver services. The primary objective is to build the capacity of these organizations to offer high-quality support to tech startups. This involves identifying weaknesses and gaps in current services, selecting promising ESOs for a training program based on factors like competencies and track records, and then designing and implementing comprehensive capacity-building initiatives.

These initiatives will include training sessions, workshops, one-on-one needs analysis, and monitoring and evaluation programs. Beneficiary ESOs will participate in a test phase to implement startup services, including business development and mentorship. The scope of work also extends to planning and organizing the delivery of these services and developing plans to mitigate potential environmental and social impacts, ensuring adherence to social safeguards.