The United Kingdom Government has launched a new Creative Fund aimed at strengthening local production capacity across Nigeria’s film, fashion and music industries.
The initiative, introduced by the UK-Nigeria Technology Hub, is designed to address technical gaps within the country’s creative sector by supporting digital production, encouraging the adoption of modern technologies, and promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
According to a statement, the fund aligns with the objectives of the UK-Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Creatives Working Group and fulfils commitments made during Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026.
The fund, which is being implemented by Tech4Dev under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, seeks to ensure that high-potential creative projects can access the tools, skills and resources required to produce and scale their work locally.
Director of the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, Oyinkansola Akintola-Bello, said the initiative represents a shift from policy commitments to practical action
“Nigeria’s creative sector already delivers real economic value, and both governments have committed under the partnership to supporting its growth. The Creative Fund addresses critical gaps in skills, infrastructure and access to advanced tools, enabling Nigerian creatives to produce high-quality work locally,” she said.
Findings from a 2024 study on Nigeria’s creative innovation ecosystem, cited in the statement, show that the sector employs about 4.2 million people and contributes approximately $3bn annually to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Despite its scale, the sector faces structural challenges, including limited access to financing and technical expertise, with over 80 per cent of practitioners reportedly self-taught and less than 10 per cent able to access formal funding.
The Creative Fund will support projects across film, fashion and music, with priority given to initiatives that demonstrate scalability, job creation potential and strong local and international impact.
It will also provide support for technical roles such as visual effects artists, sound engineers and post-production specialists, as well as access to digital tools including content delivery systems, digital rights management solutions and AI-driven production TECHNOLOGIES
Country Manager for Nigeria at Tech4Dev, Abraham Akpan, said the fund is designed to strengthen the foundation of Nigeria’s creative economy while promoting inclusion.
He noted that the initiative prioritises women-led enterprises, youth-driven ventures and underrepresented groups, with the aim of expanding access to skills, finance and opportunities within the sector.
The fund is open to creative companies, studios, production houses, fashion enterprises and music labels with clearly defined technical needs. Applications will be assessed based on project quality, impact potential and the applicant’s commitment to co-investment.
Applications are currently open and will be accepted on a rolling basis.
