The Federal Government of Nigeria is moving forward with its ambitious Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme, commonly known as iDICE, by initiating a search for expert consultants to help roll out the Startup Act across various states. Backed by substantial financing from the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank, the initiative represents a major push toward economic transformation, job creation, and youth empowerment.
The iDICE programme is built around three core pillars. The first focuses on sharpening the skills and enterprise development of young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35. The second targets the perennial challenge of funding by providing patient capital to early-stage startups. The third pillar, which forms the basis of this new call for consultants, aims to build an enabling environment through strategic policy adjustments and robust advocacy. To bring this third component to life, the iDICE Programme Coordination Unit, operating under the Bank of Industry as the government’s chosen executing agency, is now actively looking for a qualified consultant to handle the domestication of the Startup Act at the state level.
The primary goal of this assignment is to localize and operationalize the federal Startup Act so that its benefits filter down effectively to individual states. The chosen consultant will be expected to establish and lead an iDICE Policy Working Group, bringing together experts to steer the project. The workload includes mapping out existing policy gaps within the tech and creative spaces and engaging directly with key public and private stakeholders. These stakeholders include the National Information Technology Development Agency, the National Startup Act Secretariat, the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, state governments, and regional development bodies.
Furthermore, the consultant will design a comprehensive implementation plan to help states access federal incentives, while recommending specific legislative updates or executive orders needed to anchor these changes. The role also requires conducting deep state-level diagnostics to assess legal and institutional readiness, drafting model laws, and collaborating closely with regulators, lawmakers, and state ministries to ensure a smooth transition.
Per the official guidelines reviewed by Zoyols News, any firm or consortium eyeing this role must bring significant weight to the table. The ideal candidate needs at least 20 years of cognate experience in law or related fields, specifically in drafting business and regulatory legislation within Nigeria. The project also calls for a proven track record of working with development finance institutions, deep familiarity with the domestic tech and creative sectors, and the ability to deliver high-quality analytical reports. Candidates must also demonstrate strong negotiation skills with regulatory bodies, proficiency in multiple languages to navigate Nigeria’s diverse regions, and the ability to align local policies with international standards. Experience in conducting regulatory impact assessments and boosting institutional capacities will also be critical.
Firms applying for the contract must provide substantial documentation, including at least two client references from similar completed projects. For financial and tax compliance, applicants need to submit three years of audited accounts and financial summaries, alongside evidence of VAT registration and tax clearance certificates covering the last three years. International firms are welcome to apply but must submit the equivalent legal and compliance documents required in their home countries.
The expression of interest should be kept precise and must not exceed 25 pages, excluding the legal and financial compliance documents. Submissions should feature an organizational profile of no more than three pages, a breakdown of experience on similar assignments capped at seven pages, and details regarding the availability of key experts, alongside any other relevant supporting materials.
The selection process will follow the African Development Bank’s Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations, utilizing the Quality and Cost Based Selection method. Interested parties should note that submitting an expression of interest does not automatically guarantee a spot on the shortlist. Further details and clarifications can be obtained from the project unit during regular working hours.
All expressions of interest must be submitted in both hard copy and soft copy on a USB flash drive. The packages must be clearly marked as an Expression of Interest for the Domestication of the Startup Act in States and delivered to the iDICE Programme Coordination Unit at the Bank of Industry headquarters in Abuja. The final deadline for all submissions is set for June 29, 2026, at 3:00 PM West African Time. Those looking to review the full Terms of Reference can access the document via the official Bank of Industry portal, while specific enquiries can be directed to the coordination unit’s dedicated email and telephone lines.
