The Bank of Industry (BOI) has issued an RFEOI under the iDICE programme calling experienced Enterprise Support Organisations to design and run regional startup competitions, hackathons and follow-on mentorship. If you’re an incubator, accelerator or ESO in Nigeria, this could be a major opportunity — and it matters for the country’s wider digital and creative economy.
Why this opportunity could change the game for Nigerian startups
Nigeria’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) is mobilizing private-sector support to grow the startup pipeline across the country. The Bank of Industry’s Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) invites Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs) to run competitions, hackathons and mentorship services in both southern and northern regions. The effort targets youth (ages 15–35) and aims to turn early ideas into investable businesses — especially outside traditional tech hubs.
What ESOs need to know to apply
- Who issued it: Bank of Industry (BOI) under the iDICE programme, funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
- What they want: ESOs to design and implement a one-year programme of startup competitions, hackathons and mentorship aligned with global best practices.
- Regions covered: South and North Nigeria (regional split to encourage more even geographic coverage).
- Eligibility: ESOs must have at least five years’ relevant experience in tech or creative sectors and proven track records in running competitions, hackathons, mentorship and training.
- Submission deadline: 24 November 2025. Submissions via email to
idice-proposals@boi.ng. - Procurement method: Quality & Cost Based Selection (QCBS) under IsDB guidelines — Terms of Reference available on BOI’s website.
How this RFEOI fits into the bigger picture
iDICE is structured around three pillars — skills & enterprise development, access to finance, and enabling reforms. This RFEOI feeds directly into the first pillar by:
- Expanding talent pipelines via competitions and hackathons that surface promising teams and prototypes.
- Providing structured mentorship to help founders refine product-market fit and investor pitch readiness.
- Spreading activity to under-served geographies (Northern Nigeria), which can reduce regional inequities in tech access.
Looking beyond the competitions
Follow-up support will determine lasting impact
Competitions and hackathons generate visibility and short-term excitement, but the real measure is follow-on support: incubation, access to seed funding and market connections. ESOs that combine scouting with structured acceleration (mentor networks, customer introductions, investor readiness) are likelier to turn winners into fundable startups.
Local knowledge can give regional players an advantage
Local ESOs understand regional context, language, and market needs — all advantages when deploying programmes in Northern states or rural communities. The RFEOI’s five-year experience requirement may favor national players; a strong proposal process should encourage subcontracts or consortia that pair national credibility with local delivery partners.
How ESOs can prepare to stand out
- Show measurable results: Highlight startup survival rates, funds raised, and jobs created from past programmes — QCBS procurement rewards evidence-based proposals.
- Plan for inclusion: Propose gender- and disability-inclusive outreach, and adapt language or cultural considerations for Northern deployments.
- Map follow-on funding: Demonstrate clear paths from competition prizes to seed funding or accelerator programmes; connections with angel networks or VCs strengthen proposals.
- Think partnerships: Smaller ESOs can collaborate with national incubators or training organisations to meet experience thresholds while keeping local delivery advantages.
The challenges that could shape outcomes
Important factors that will influence the RFEOI’s success include:
- Balancing scale and quality: A broad rollout without enough mentors risks shallow outcomes.
- Ensuring funding continuity: One-year programmes can find talent, but longer-term financing must follow to support growth.
- Tracking results effectively: Clear KPIs and independent evaluation will show whether competitions convert into viable startups and jobs.
What to keep an eye on as the programme rolls out
- Which ESOs get selected — will it be mostly national players, or will regional organisations shine?
- How many startups progress to formal incubation, secure investment, or grow revenue after the programme ends?
- Whether mentorship includes investor introductions and access to follow-on finance — the real test of pipeline development.
Why it matters and what to do next
The BOI’s RFEOI under iDICE signals an active push to expand Nigeria’s startup pipeline and broaden regional participation in the digital and creative sectors. For ESOs, accelerators, and incubators, the RFEOI offers commercial opportunity and a platform to scale impact — but success will depend on meaningful follow-on funding, local partnerships, and rigorous monitoring.
Question: If you run an ESO, incubator, or accelerator, what one capability would you highlight in your RFEOI submission to win this contract — and why? Share your thoughts below.
