Top Government and Private Tech Funding Opportunities for Nigerian Startups
For many aspiring founders in Nigeria, funding is the major hurdle between an innovative idea and a thriving tech business. Fortunately, the Nigerian startup ecosystem is steadily gaining traction with both government-backed initiatives and private-sector investments designed to empower local entrepreneurs.
At i4 Tech Integrated Services, we believe access to capital shouldn’t be a roadblock to innovation. Below is a curated list of some of the most relevant funding opportunities for Nigerian tech startups in 2025.
1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme
Type: Grant
Funding Amount: $5,000
Details: One of Africa’s most consistent startup support programs, TEF provides seed capital, business training, and mentoring. It’s open to startups across all sectors, including tech.
2. Bank of Industry (BOI) Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Programme
Type: Loan
Funding Amount: Up to ₦10 million
Details: BOI offers affordable funding and training for young entrepreneurs. If you have a scalable tech idea and a business plan, this is worth exploring.
🔗 boi.ng
3. Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF)
Type: Loan/Grant
Funding Amount: ₦250,000 – ₦5 million
Details: Specifically targeting startups in Lagos, LSETF provides funding and capacity development for entrepreneurs across various industries, including tech.
4. Google for Startups Africa Accelerator
Type: Equity-free Accelerator
Benefits: Technical mentorship, cloud credits, and access to Google engineers.
Details: A competitive program for early-stage startups that are solving real challenges using tech.
5. UNDP and Federal Government Jubilee Fellows Programme
Type: Stipend Support & Mentorship
Details: Though not direct startup funding, this fellowship places young professionals with startups and SMEs, easing talent costs and providing business development support.
6. GreenHouse Lab Accelerator
Type: Early-stage Accelerator
Funding Amount: Varies
Details: A female-focused accelerator supporting tech startups with capital and mentorship, especially in fintech and health tech.
7. Digital Africa (DA) Talent 4 Startups
Type: Skills Funding
Benefits: Funds digital training for startup teams
Details: Helps Nigerian startups train talent in software development, digital marketing, and data science, helping reduce skill-building costs.
8. Innovation Support Network (ISN) Hubs
Type: Partnership/Support
Details: While not direct funding, ISN offers access to a network of innovation hubs and grant opportunities through partners like GIZ, Ford Foundation, and others.
9. Startup Nigeria
Type: Government-backed Funding
Funding Amount: Varies by cohort
Details: This federal initiative offers seed funding, mentorship, and regional incubation for selected startups.
(check status for 2025)
10. VC Firms and Angel Networks in Nigeria
Several private investors and VC firms are active in the Nigerian tech scene. These include:
- Future Africa
- Microtraction
- CcHub Growth Capital
- EchoVC Partners
- Ingressive Capital
You’ll need a compelling pitch, a solid MVP, and traction to attract them.
Final Thoughts from i4 Tech
The Nigerian tech space is full of potential—and access to capital is increasingly within reach. At i4 Tech Integrated Services, we help startups not only build tech solutions but also guide them in identifying and applying for the right funding opportunities.