The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has called on youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to register and participate in the Investment in its Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme.
The Acting Managing Director of AEA and FCT i-DICE Focal Person, Dr Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe said the programme was designed to provide young Nigerians with opportunities to develop and consolidate business ideas in the digital and creative economy.
He said that the programme targeted young people aged between 18 years and 35 years.
He said registration and submission of applications were still ongoing, adding that practical training had yet to commence in the FCT.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe said the agency was intensifying awareness and publicity to encourage eligible youths to take advantage of the programme.
“We intend to visit the University of Abuja and any other higher institution within the territory that is relevant to the programme to create the necessary awareness and publicity,” he said.
He said that AEA had also been using its various engagements and events to sensitise youths about the programme.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe said the programme had the potential to promote employment generation and economic empowerment among young Nigerians.
According to him, youths who take advantage of the programme will have the opportunity to develop their business ideas and contribute to job creation.
He said that i-DICE was a Federal Government programme domiciled in the Bank of Industry (BOI).
He said the BOI was expected to provide about 45 million dollars as part of the financing arrangement for the programme.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe said the Islamic Development Bank had also committed about 65 million dollars to the programme.
He said that the funds would be accessed through BOI and participating financial institutions that met the required criteria.
He listed some of the participating financial institutions as microfinance banks, commercial banks and other relevant financial institutions.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe urged eligible youths in the FCT to register and prepare to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the programme.
He said the programme was expected to help young Nigerians turn innovative ideas into viable businesses and contribute to reducing unemployment.