Ecobank Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly within the fashion and creative industries, to harness opportunities in the global fashion market, which is valued at over $100 billion.
At the fourth edition of the bank’s annual Ecobank Adire Lagos Exhibition, Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs at Ecobank Nigeria, emphasized the bank’s role as a key solutions provider for SMEs, offering accessible platforms to elevate local businesses. She noted that Africa contributes more than $30 billion to the global fashion industry and called for Nigeria to assert its presence on the continental and international stage.
“With support from development finance institutions like the World Bank and IFC, Africa’s fashion sector is receiving vital investment. Nigeria must not be left behind,” Odu said. “We want Nigerian creatives to be among the top 25 leading voices in African fashion.”
The Ecobank Adire Lagos event, focused on promoting indigenous textile craftsmanship such as the iconic Adire fabric, aims to serve both cultural and commercial purposes. It provides a platform for artisans, designers, and textile producers to showcase their work, boost sales, and access local and global markets—completely free of charge.
Odu highlighted the success of previous editions, noting that last year’s event drew over 20,000 visitors in just four days, with some vendors earning as much as ₦30 million, equivalent to six months of typical revenue—underscoring the exhibition’s powerful business potential.
The initiative aligns with Ecobank’s broader strategy to nurture Nigeria’s SME ecosystem and support its integration into the booming global fashion economy.
