How to apply for more than $100,000 in funding through Nigeria’s 2025 Creative Development Fund
In order to sustainably finance Nigeria’s rapidly expanding creative and cultural industries, the Federal Government initiated the first phase of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF).
The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) made the fund official after it was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The CEDF seeks to diversify Nigeria’s economy, foster innovation, and generate employment.
The Ministry underlined that by empowering different sectors, the fund will assist establish Nigeria as a leader in the creative industries worldwide.
Phase 1 applications will close on May 30, 2025. On August 4, 2025, a second phase that is specifically designed for SMEs and MSMEs looking for lesser loan amounts is set to begin.
Who is eligible?
The CEDF is open to a wide range of participants in the creative space, including:
- Writers and publisher
- Artists and fashion designers
- Filmmakers and director
- Gaming studios
- Cultural tourism providers
- Media and digital platforms
- Legal, logistics, and training service providers
How to apply (Step-by-step)
Interested and qualified candidates can apply via the official CEDF website
- Visit the website and click on “Apply for CEDF Now!”
- Fill in the application form with details including:
- Company name and address
- Proof of business registration
- Main and supplementary contact details
- Sector of operation
- Current stage of business
- Type of funding or partnership desired
- Expected funding range (only applications from $100,000 and above are accepted in Phase 1)
Upload required documents, including:
- Business case with 5-year financial forecasts (revenue, costs, EBITDA, etc.)
- IRR projections (if available)
- Financial model (if available)
- Presentation of your business case (PDF format)
- Indicate if you require project preparation support and state its intended use
- Register on the Creative Leap Accelerator Program (CLAP)(This is mandatory to complete the application)
- Input your registration number or TIN or or mobile number submitted on your CLAP registration
- Then submit.
For more details visit the CEDF official website.
What you should know
- The key objectives of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF) 2025 are to stimulate innovation and growth across Nigeria’s creative industries.
- The fund aims to provide the necessary capital injection for businesses to expand and access new markets. It is also designed to create significant employment opportunities, particularly for youth, while opening up sustainable financing avenues for creative entrepreneurs.
- Additionally, the CEDF supports the securitization of intellectual property, enabling it to be used as collateral for further funding opportunities.
