The UK-Nigeria Technology Hub has launched its Creative Fund, a first phase grants initiative designed to address critical technical capacity gaps across Nigeria’s film, fashion and music industries.

The fund will support the development of local digital production capacity; encourage adoption of modern creative technologies; and promote responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen Nigeria’s creative value chain.

The British Deputy High Commission, in a statement on Tuesday, said the initiative would directly support the priorities of the UK‑Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Creatives Working Group launched in March 2025.

The mission said the initiative was designed to ensure that high potential creative projects could access the technical talent, tools and resources required to produce, scale and complete their work locally.

According to the mission, the Creative Fund is funded by the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, and implemented by Tech4Dev.

“Drawing on over 1,700 survey responses, and fieldwork across seven states, Nigeria’s creative economy employs approximately 4.2 million people and contributes around US$3 billion to GDP annually.

“Despite this scale, the sector continues to face structural constraints with over 80 per cent of practitioners being self-taught.

“Also, fewer than 10 per cent had access to formal financing, and high-value technical work is routinely outsourced outside the country.

“The Creative Fund is a direct response to these gaps, and central to the work of the ETIP Creative working Group,” the mission said.

Oyinkansola Akintola‑Bello, Director of the UK‑Nigeria Tech Hub, said in the statement that Nigeria’s creative sector already delivered real economic value.

He said: “Through the ETIP Creatives Working Group, we are moving from ambition to action.

“The Creative Fund is a practical first‑phase intervention that addresses critical gaps in skills, infrastructure and access to advanced tools, enabling Nigerian creatives to produce and scale high‑quality work locally.”

Also, Abraham Akpan, Tech4Dev’s Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, said in the statement that creative industries were a core part of the digital economy, bringing together technology, culture and entrepreneurship.

According to him, the fund is about ensuring that Nigeria’s creative success is underpinned by sustainable local talent and capacity.

“By prioritising women-led enterprises, youth-led ventures, and underrepresented groups, the fund embeds inclusion into every stage of delivery,” he said.

The Fund will support high-potential creative projects covering three film, fashion, and music industries.

It will also focus on initiatives that demonstrate strong potential for impact, scalability and job creation.

It is open to creative companies, studios, production houses, fashion enterprises and music labels leading projects with clear technical needs.

According to the mission, applications will be assessed on project quality, potential for local and international impact, and the applicant’s level of commitment to co-investment. (NAN)