By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Federal Government plans to launch two new investment funds in 2026 aimed at supporting Nigerian technology and creative startups under its Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative, officials revealed over the weekend.
These fresh funding channels—a dedicated creative sector fund and a “fund of funds” for smaller investment vehicles—are part of the government’s drive to broaden access to capital for young innovators across the country and foster job creation as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The disclosure was made in a statement on Monday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President. The announcement coincided with a milestone for the iDICE Steering Committee, which Vice President Kashim Shettima described as “an exciting milestone,” following a $64 million first close of a new venture fund led by Ventures Platform, a pan-African seed-stage investment firm. The fund is targeting a final close of $75 million.
Ventures Platform, which was appointed in August 2025 as the Technology Fund Manager for iDICE after a rigorous selection process overseen by programme partners, now collaborates with institutional investors including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Standard Bank of South Africa, and British International Investment (BII).
“The commencement of investing by iDICE is a leap forward in our determined efforts to unleash the full potential of Nigeria’s young people,” Vice President Shettima said, emphasising that the programme supports the administration’s vision of building a modern, innovation-driven economy.
Dr Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director/CEO of the Bank of Industry, stated that the iDICE-backed investment in Ventures Platform’s Fund II underscores the government’s dedication to stimulating growth in Nigeria’s technology and creative sectors.
“This development will contribute meaningfully to the nation’s broader economic transformation agenda, with goals to create jobs at scale and empower high-growth entrepreneurs,” he added.
Kola Aina, Founding Partner of Ventures Platform, welcomed the partnership and expressed optimism about its impact on Nigerian entrepreneurs.
“We are delighted to have been selected as the iDICE Technology Fund Manager… to support Nigeria’s young entrepreneurs and innovators,” he said.