The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Republic of France have inked an agreement for the Digital and Creative Enterprise (I-DISE) program, which is aimed at creating employment opportunities in Nigeria.
The bilateral agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonnade, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The I-DISE program is an initiative of the Federal Government, led by the Office of the Vice President, and is designed to promote entrepreneurship and innovation within the digital technology and creative industry sectors.
The primary focus of the program is on job creation and supporting young Nigerians in creating sustainable employment opportunities, developing high-value industries, and contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
The program will provide training to two million young individuals and encourage them to establish their own ecosystem through access to funding for innovative businesses and startups.
The program is being financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), and the Bank of Industry (BOI).
The AFD is contributing 100 million euros (equivalent to $116 million) out of the program’s total value of $600 million.
The I-DISE program will also receive support from the private sector and institutional investors, with the Bank of Industry serving as the Implementing Agency responsible for day-to-day project coordination.
Catherine Colonnade expressed her gratitude to all partners and co-financers, emphasizing that the ambitious program’s purpose is to support young entrepreneurs and innovators, promote the employability of Nigerian youth, and boost the capacities of the country’s digital technology and creative industries.
The program is expected to involve nearly two million youth in training sessions, with 40% of them being women.
It aims to create more than 65,000 startups, generate 150,000 direct jobs in the technology and creative industries sectors, and create approximately 1.3 million indirect jobs.
Bosun Tijani, who represented the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, highlighted the government’s commitment to boosting the employability of young people by focusing on careers in the digital, cultural, and creative industries.
He welcomed the French government’s collaboration in advancing technological advancements for the benefit of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, noting the AFD’s contribution to the I-DISE program aligns with France’s historical commitment to startup growth.
Tijani emphasized that the program is in line with AFD’s strategy to promote skill development and enhance entrepreneurial training in these high-potential sectors.