The French Development Agency (AFD) is joining forces with the Nigerian Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Industry (BOI) to bolster Nigeria’s Creative and Culture Industry (CCI) through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (I-DICE) initiative.
Through I-DICE, the AFD is contributing €100 million to support CCIs in Nigeria, with a particular focus on audiovisual, digital, and cultural heritage projects. This funding aligns with AFD’s mandate since 2018 to globally support CCIs, recognizing their pivotal role in employment, economic development, social cohesion, and integration.
I-DICE, a $618 million initiative led by the Nigerian government in partnership with the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and AFD, aims to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among young Nigerians in the digital technology and creative sectors. It provides mentorship and funding to empower youth in these industries.
Celine Gilquin, Head of Social Link at AFD, emphasized the dynamic nature of Nigeria’s creative scene, particularly in animation, education, fashion, and design sectors. These areas are identified as key players not only in the audiovisual industry but also in achieving sustainable development goals.
AFD’s commitment to CCIs extends beyond Nigeria, with a total grant support of €20.2 million for Africa’s CCIs in 2022. Recognizing the vital role civil societies and cultural entrepreneurs play, AFD has flagship projects like Accès Culture and Afrique Creative, which provide funding for small-scale cultural programs in Africa.
Accès Culture funds cultural projects with strong social impact, implemented by local civil societies and cultural entrepreneurs in partnership with French associations. Afrique Creative supports creative entrepreneurs through technical and financial assistance.
Since their establishment in 2019, these projects have invested over €5.25 million, supporting over a hundred CCI projects in over 30 African countries. Notably, 50% of the 55,000 beneficiaries are women, showcasing a commitment to gender inclusivity.
Overall, AFD has invested over €150 million in 60+ CCI projects and 100+ micro projects since 2018, with a primary focus on Africa. These initiatives target youth and women as beneficiaries, aiming to drive sustainable development and structuring of the global CCI sector.
AFD’s support for CCIs encompasses cultural infrastructure, vocational training, entrepreneurship, policies, and governance. Additionally, it aligns with sustainable development goals, including poverty reduction, cultural preservation, equal access to cultural goods and services, professionalization of cultural stakeholders, entrepreneurship development, and sustainable tourism promotion.
