Nigeria Launches iDICE Startup Bridge With Grants & USD 100 K Funding For Founders

The Nigerian government has launched the iDICE Startup Bridge, a two-track initiative offering up to NGN 10 M (USD 7.2 K) in grants for early-stage founders and USD 100 K equity investment for post-MVP startups.

Implemented by the Bank of Industry and backed by the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and Islamic Development Bank, the programme sits under Nigeria’s broader iDICE initiative.

Launched in 2023, iDICE aims to expand startup funding beyond Lagos and Abuja by targeting founders across all 36 states and the FCT. The first track, Founders Lab, is a 12-week programme focused on idea validation and MVP development, while a forthcoming Growth Lab will back startups ready to scale, with access to capital and investor networks.