The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has officially launched the first phase of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), aimed at empowering Nigeria’s diverse creative sectors and establishing the country as a global leader in arts and cultural innovation.
The first phase of applications—focused on funding requests of $100,000 or more—will close on May 30, 2025. A second round, which caters to smaller funding requests for SMEs and MSMEs, will open on August 4, 2025.
Eligible applicants for the CEDF include writers, publishers, artists, filmmakers, fashion designers, gaming studios, tourism operators, and service providers across media, logistics, law, and training sectors.
To apply, applicants must complete an online form on the official CEDF website and provide necessary documents such as proof of business registration, financial projections, and registration with the Creative Leap Accelerator Program (CLAP).
The CEDF 2025 initiative is designed to foster sustainable growth in Nigeria’s creative economy, generate jobs—particularly for the youth—and enhance access to capital for creative entrepreneurs. It also introduces a unique feature where intellectual property can be used as collateral, giving creatives more leverage in securing future funding opportunities.
