The Federal Government has launched a technical committee to initiate the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, marking what Vice President Kashim Shettima heralds as the beginning of a transformative era in Nigeria,leadership reports.
The iDICE Programme, a collaborative endeavor 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 foster and empower enterprises within the digital and creative sectors.
Following the endorsement of the $617.7 million i-DICE programme by the National Economic Council (NEC) in its last meeting in March, the initiative is set to be implemented across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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Addressing the inauguration of the Committee on Wednesday, Vice President Shettima expressed confidence in the initiative’s potential to reshape the nation’s digital and creative landscape, emphasizing a journey marked by innovation, collaboration, and boundless opportunities.
Furthermore, the Vice President disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has been tasked with ensuring prompt disbursement of funds for the iDICE Programme to facilitate its swift execution. He lauded the partnerships forged with institutions as a convergence of vision and purpose aimed at fostering shared prosperity.
Senator Shettima commended the achievements of the programme coordination unit, including its establishment, procurement of fund managers, and engagement with ecosystem stakeholders, highlighting these milestones as a testament to Nigeria’s resilient spirit of innovation.
According to Tope Fasua, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters in the Office of The Vice President and chairman of the Technical Committee, iDICE’s substantial financial backing underscores its potential to drive transformative change in Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors.
Fasua outlined the transparent process undertaken for the selection of fund managers, guided by the African Development Bank (AfDB), to ensure the program’s financial resources are managed by the most qualified firms.
With all necessary documentation completed by the AfDB and French Development Agency (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) nearing final stages, Fasua anticipates the first drawdown of funds on April 15th, marking a significant milestone in the program’s implementation.
Expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to contribute to societal impact and the nation’s economic development, Fasua emphasized the committee’s dedication to advancing human capital and economic growth.
