Ecobank Nigeria is taking bold steps to position Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially Adire fabric makers, within the $100 billion global fashion industry. Through its annual Adire Lagos exhibition, the bank is offering entrepreneurs a free platform to showcase their work, build brand visibility, and connect with buyers across local and international markets.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the exhibition in Lagos, the bank’s Head of SMEs reiterated Ecobank’s role as a solutions provider for small businesses. She stressed that the global fashion industry represents a major opportunity, with Africa contributing more than $30 billion annually. Nigeria, she said, must tap into this potential and lead the continent’s fashion evolution.
“There is absolutely no reason why Nigeria should be left behind when development finance institutions like the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation are already backing fashion entrepreneurs in Africa,” she stated. “We want Nigerian creatives and SMEs to rank among the top 25 African voices shaping the global fashion conversation.”
The Adire Lagos exhibition serves a dual purpose: celebrating Nigeria’s rich textile heritage and providing a strong business platform for local artisans, designers, and textile producers. Focused on the Adire fabric an indigenous dyed textile that originates from southwestern Nigeria the event allows participants to make sales, network with stakeholders, and gain critical exposure at no cost.
This year’s edition features a dynamic mix of seasoned fashion brands and emerging talent, all united by cultural pride, creative innovation, and export readiness. The bank highlighted the exhibition’s unique value as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative designed to foster economic growth, entrepreneurship, and national cohesion.
Reflecting on past editions, the SME head noted that the impact has been significant. “Last year, we welcomed over 20,000 visitors in just four days. One vendor alone made N30 million in sales—an amount equivalent to six months of revenue. That kind of result shows the strong commercial viability of our efforts,” she said.
Ecobank’s strategic commitment to empowering Nigerian SMEs in the creative industry is part of a broader effort to diversify the economy and integrate local businesses into global value chains. By facilitating access to wider markets and showcasing indigenous talent, the bank is helping to unlock new economic frontiers while preserving Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In a country where access to funding, market exposure, and infrastructure often constrain small business growth, initiatives like the Adire Lagos exhibition offer a transformative model for development. With continued support and scale, Nigeria’s fashion entrepreneurs could not only increase their footprint in the $100 billion market but also help reposition the country as a cultural and creative hub on the global stage.
