Call for Partners: Enterprise Support Organizations (Nigeria)

Deadline: 04-Sep-26

The iDICE Programme, implemented by AfriLabs in Southwest and South-South Nigeria, is seeking Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) to deliver entrepreneurship, incubation, acceleration, mentorship and innovation programmes through Centres of Excellence hosted at tertiary institutions. Selected ESOs will receive sub-award funding based on verified deliverables and are expected to support at least 2,600 beneficiaries and 500 startups per institution over a minimum two-year implementation period. What Is the iDICE Enterprise Support Organization Call? The Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme aims to strengthen Nigeria’s digital and creative economy by developing innovation ecosystems and supporting entrepreneurs, startups, MSMEs, students and innovators. AfriLabs, a pan-African network of technology and innovation hubs, is leading implementation of the programme across Southwest and South-South Nigeria. The initiative will establish Centres of Excellence at tertiary institutions across 15 locations. Enterprise Support Organizations will serve as implementation partners responsible for delivering entrepreneurship and innovation support at these centres. What Will Selected ESOs Do? Selected Enterprise Support Organizations will design and deliver programmes tailored to the needs of digital and creative-sector participants. The selected ESOs are expected to create programmes that provide practical entrepreneurial skills, business development support and pathways into employment and enterprise growth. What Are the Expected Targets? The partnership has significant beneficiary and startup-support targets. Over the project period, each participating institution is expected to: Recruit and train at least 2,600 beneficiaries. Support at least 500 startups. ESOs should therefore demonstrate sufficient organisational capacity, staffing, networks and programme experience to manage large-scale entrepreneurship and innovation activities. Funding and Payment Structure The selected organizations will receive sub-award funding.

Funding operates on a:

Cost-reimbursement basis, and Deliverable-completion basis. Disbursements are linked to verified delivery of activities and achievement of agreed milestones. This means ESOs should be prepared to maintain strong financial management systems and provide evidence that contracted activities and outputs have been completed. Funding and expenditure must comply with the applicable AfriLabs and donor financial, reporting and compliance requirements.

Partnership Duration

The partnership will run for a minimum of two years. The duration will be aligned with the implementation period of the relevant Centre of Excellence. ESOs should therefore have the organisational capacity to maintain programme delivery, reporting, staffing and stakeholder engagement throughout the partnership. Who Is Eligible? The call is intended for legally registered entities in Nigeria with the capacity to deliver entrepreneurship and innovation programmes. Capacity to deliver large-scale training and incubation activities. Commitment to gender equality. Commitment to disability inclusion. Commitment to youth participation. A clear approach to programme sustainability. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a credible track record rather than simply proposing a new entrepreneurship programme without prior implementation experience. Why It Matters Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors provide significant opportunities for entrepreneurship, employment and innovation, but startups and emerging entrepreneurs often need access to training, mentorship, investment readiness and business networks. The iDICE Centres of Excellence approach seeks to address these gaps by connecting tertiary institutions with experienced Enterprise Support Organizations.

The programme can help:

Build entrepreneurial skills. Strengthen startup ecosystems. Improve employability. Support MSME development. Connect entrepreneurs with industry. Increase access to mentorship. Encourage youth entrepreneurship. Improve inclusion within innovation ecosystems. Strengthen Nigeria’s digital and creative economy. How the ESO Partnership Works

1. Apply as a qualified Nigerian organization

The applicant should first confirm that it meets the legal, geographical and organisational requirements.

2. Demonstrate relevant experience

Applicants should provide evidence of previous entrepreneurship, incubation, acceleration or innovation programmes.

3. Present an implementation approach

The proposal should explain how the organization will deliver training, incubation, mentorship and other services at the assigned Centre of Excellence.

4. Address beneficiary targets

Applicants should demonstrate how they will contribute toward the required target of 2,600 beneficiaries trained and 500 startups supported per institution.

5. Explain inclusion measures

The programme expects meaningful participation by women, young people and persons with disabilities. Applicants should therefore incorporate practical inclusion measures into programme design and delivery.

6. Demonstrate financial and governance capacity

Applicants should show that they have systems capable of managing reimbursement-based funding, milestone payments, financial records, reporting and donor compliance.

7. Deliver against agreed milestones

Following selection, funding disbursements will be connected to verified activities and deliverables. ESOs must maintain appropriate documentation and evidence of programme performance. What Should Applicants Highlight? A strong application should clearly demonstrate: Previous entrepreneurship programme experience. Experience working with startups and MSMEs. Knowledge of Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors. Strong relationships with entrepreneurs, industry and ecosystem stakeholders. Failing to demonstrate legal registration in Nigeria. Providing limited evidence of previous entrepreneurship program