NATIONAL POLICY ON CREATIVE ECONOMY

What Is This Policy?

The National Policy on Creative Economy provides the strategic framework for developing Nigeria's Nollywood film industry, music sector, fashion, visual arts, gaming, and performing arts into a structured, export-oriented industry. It is supported by the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), a dedicated financing vehicle to grow creative enterprises and make Nigeria the creative hub of Africa.

Who Does It Target?

Film producers, musicians, artists, fashion designers, game developers, and creative entrepreneurs Creative industry SMEs and startups seeking financing, training, and market access Entertainment platforms, streaming services, distributors, and rights management organisations Youth between 15 and 35, for whom the creative economy is a primary path to self-employment

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Grow the creative economy's contribution to GDP from approximately 2.3% to 5% by 2027 Create 2 million additional jobs in the creative and cultural sectors by 2025 Grow Nigeria's creative exports (Nollywood, Afrobeats, fashion) to $2 billion annually by 2025 Establish Nigeria as the undisputed creative capital of Africa, displacing South Africa in television and film exports

Key Features

Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF): A N10 billion+ fund providing grants, loans, and equity to creative enterprises at various stages from early stage to scale Nollywood Infrastructure: Policy supports the development of world-class film studios, post-production facilities, and a national film archive Copyright Reform: Strengthened Copyright Act 2022 improves royalty collection and enforcement for musicians, filmmakers, and artists Creative Clusters: Government-funded and PPP creative hubs and clusters in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, and Port Harcourt as physical infrastructure for the creative economy Export Development: NEPC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs support Afrobeats, fashion, and Nollywood exports through trade missions, streaming partnerships, and diaspora markets CEDF Roll Out Strategy: A phased disbursement plan for the CEDF covering grants for early-stage creatives, loans for growth-stage enterprises, and equity for scale-up businesses

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; CEDF operational from 2023; pilot grant round disbursed to 500 creative enterprises in the first tranche Implementing Body: Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy; CEDF Board; NFVCB; Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Sector Scale: Nigeria's entertainment and media market valued at approximately $10.4 billion (PwC 2024); Nollywood second-largest film industry globally by volume Funding: CEDF capitalised from FGN appropriation and a levy on digital streaming platforms operating in Nigeria

How to Access

Apply to the CEDF: Submit applications for grants and loans through the CEDF online portal; categories include film production, music, fashion, visual arts, and gaming Copyright Registration: Register creative works with the Nigerian Copyright Commission to protect your intellectual property and access royalty collection: copyright.gov.ng Export Support: Apply to NEPC for market access grants and trade mission opportunities for creative exports: nepc.gov.ng Contact: FMACTCE: tourismculture.gov.ng | NCC: copyright.gov.ng | CEDF Portal: cedf.gov.ng

Official Resources

Website: tourismculture.gov.ng | cedf.gov.ng | copyright.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Moshood Abiola Way, Zone 3, Abuja Policy Summary | Source: FMACTCE, CEDF Act 2022, NFVCB, NCC Nigeria, PwC Entertainment & Media Outlook, ThisDay | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Policy on Creative Economy operates under the National Council for Arts and Culture Act, the Copyright Act 2022, and the National Film and Video Censors Board Act. The Creative Economy Development Fund is governed by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy mandate and aligns with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Act, the Industrial Training Fund Act 2011, and UNESCO's Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.