Apply for Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund for firms in need of $100,000 and below

Apply now for Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund for firms and businesses in need of $100,000 and below. The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) is pleased to announce the rollout of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), a landmark initiative approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The CEDF is designed to catalyze growth, innovation, and sustainable financing for Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries, in line with the government’s commitment to creating jobs, stimulating economic diversification, and boosting Nigeria’s global cultural footprint.

This Fund represents a significant national investment in the creative sector, recognizing its potential as a driver of economic growth and cultural diplomacy.

Stimulating Growth in Creative and Cultural Industries
Providing the capital injection needed for businesses in sectors such as film, music, fashion, art, publishing, gaming, cultural tourism etc., to expand production and reach new markets

Increasing Access to Finance
Opening up new financing avenues for creative entrepreneurs and organizations, including those who previously lacked access to traditional bank loans or investors.

Supporting Job Creation and Economic Diversification
Empowering creative businesses to scale up will lead to the creation of new jobs and livelihoods, especially for youth, while diversifying Nigeria’s economy beyond oil and other traditional sectors.

Leveraging Intellectual Property (IP) as an Asset
Establishing a transformative model for securitizing and collateralizing intellectual property. Creative talents will be able to leverage their IP (such as film rights, musical works, or digital content) as viable assets to secure financing – a pioneering move to unlock the value of Nigeria’s rich creative content.

Call for Proposals – Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund

The Call for proposals for phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund for firms in need of $100,000 and below commences on August 4 and will run till September 01, 2025. Creative entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations across Nigeria are invited to submit their project proposals for funding consideration. This Call will be open for a period of 4 weeks ending on the first of September 2025 during which interested applicants can apply to be part of the CEDF’s first batch of beneficiaries. Detailed guidelines including eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and submission instructions will be provided with the Call. Prospective applicants should be prepared to present a clear project overview or business plan, basic financial projections, information on team/ownership, and any relevant intellectual property documentation to demonstrate the viability and readiness of their project:

NOTE

The CEDF Application is in two phases.
PHASE 1 Application stage Opened on 28th April and closed on 30 June, 2025.
PHASE 2 Application open on 4th August and will be targeted at SMEs and MSMEs with smaller ticket size investments and will close on September 01, 2025

Eligibility – Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund for firms in need of $100,000 and below

1. Individual Creators, Entrepreneurs, and Businesses engaged in Nigeria’s creative and cultural sectors.
2. Enterprises within the tourism sector that are associated with the cultural and creative components of the value chain, including infrastructure.
3. Must provide evidence of a feasible project plan, legal rights to utilize any pertinent intellectual property, and alignment with the Fund’s objective to enhance the creative industry.

Who Can Apply – eligible businesses – Creative Economy Development Fund

These examples represent a non-exhaustive snapshot of Non-exhaustive list of potential applicants. The Fund is open to every part of the creative economy value chain — not just high-profile creatives, but also the suppliers, enablers, and marketers who make creative work possible

Fashion

✓ Textile mills & tanneries
✓ Tailors & designers
✓ Fashion shows & retailers

Tourism

✓ Tour operators
✓ Booking platforms
✓ Local guides & hotel

Film & TV

✓ Writers & directors
✓ Post-production teams
✓ Cinema operators

Visual Arts

✓ Artists & producers
✓ Studios & labels
✓ Marketers & promoters

Cultural Heritage Music

✓ Heritage site managers
✓ Community artisans
✓ Festival organizers

Gaming & Animation

✓ Developers & studios
✓ 3D artists, voice actors
✓ Streamers & marketers

Publishing

✓ Authors & editors
✓ Printers & publishers
✓ Distributors & bookstores

✓ Artists & sculptors
✓ Galleries & curators
✓ Online art platforms

Primary documents: – Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund for firms in need of $100,000 and below

1. Overview of the project/business, financial plan (budget/revenue forecasts), legal/ownership information, and proof of intellectual property ownership (if applicable).
2. Debt Window: Documentation of repayment ability or collateral (which may include intellectual property).
3. Equity Window: Presentation deck, growth strategy, corporate registration documents.
4. Grant Window: Comprehensive proposal detailing cultural/social impact, sustainability, project timeline, and budget breakdown.

How to Apply – Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund for firms in need of $100,000 and below

1. Complete the official CEDF Application Form (link provided with the public Call for Proposals).
2. Submit all necessary documents prior to the deadline on the 30th of May 2025.
3. Be ready for follow-up inquiries or requests for clarification during the evaluation process.

Evaluation Criteria – Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund for firms in need of $100,000 and below

1. Complete the official CEDF Application Form (accessible with the public Call for Proposals, also visit).
2. Submit all necessary documents before the deadline on the 30th of May 2025.
3. Be prepared for follow-up inquiries or requests for clarification during the evaluation process.

How it Works – Creative Economy Development Fund

• These examples represent a non-exhaustive snapshot of the types of creatives and cultural entrepreneurs who can benefit
  from the Creative CEDF.
• Beyond headline creators—like designers, filmmakers, and musicians—the Fund also welcomes upstream suppliers (e.g.,
  textile mills, tanneries, printers), mid-chain service providers (such as studios, editors, post-production teams, and curators),
  and downstream platforms (e.g., retailers, distributors, e-commerce platforms, cinemas, and streaming services).
• Whether you’re a traditional artisan, a cultural tourism tech startup, a record label, or a youth-led game development
  team, if your work contributes to Nigeria’s creative or cultural ecosystem—you are eligible. The Fund is designed to address
  fragmentation and empower the entire value chain to scale, collaborate, and thrive.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION – Creative Economy Development Fund

• To visit the CEDF website click here
• Click here to read the CEDF rollout document
• To submit your application visit the application form here . Please note that for unknown reasons the application form is not opening nor accepting applications. We advise you keep checking back so that you can submit your application as soon as CEDF rectivies the issues.
• Tentative deadline subject to extension by the authorities is September 01, 2025