The UK–Nigeria Tech Hub has launched a new Creative Fund aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s booming creative industry by supporting local production in film, fashion, and music through technology and innovation. The initiative is expected to help Nigerian creatives access technical resources, digital tools, and funding needed to scale high-quality projects locally.
The fund, introduced under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme and implemented in partnership with Tech4Dev, seeks to bridge critical technical capacity gaps that continue to affect Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. According to organisers, the initiative will encourage the use of modern production technologies and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across the creative value chain.
Officials noted that Nigeria’s creative sector remains one of Africa’s fastest-growing industries, employing an estimated 4.2 million people and contributing around $3 billion annually to the nation’s economy. However, challenges such as limited access to formal financing, technical expertise, and modern infrastructure have slowed growth, with many high-value production services often outsourced outside the country.
Speaking on the launch, the Director of the UK–Nigeria Tech Hub, Oyinkansola Akintola-Bello, described the Creative Fund as a practical intervention designed to empower Nigerian creatives and strengthen local production capacity. The initiative aligns with the UK–Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership (ETIP), which aims to deepen economic cooperation and innovation between both countries.
The programme is open to eligible Nigerian businesses and organisations in the film, fashion, and music sectors, particularly projects with clear technical production needs. Industry observers believe the initiative could unlock new opportunities for young creatives, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a stronger global hub for digital creativity and entertainment.
