Sterling Bank Partners On Creative Economy Festival

Sterling Bank has partnered with the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria x Made By Nigerians Festival 2025 (AFWN x MBN Fest 2025) to boost Nigeria’s creative economy.

The partnership aims to empower Nigerian creatives, drive innovation, and strengthen the country’s position in the global fashion market.

The two-day event, held on December 20 to 21, 2025, brought together top designers, emerging fashion entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders to showcase Nigerian talent and promote commercial growth.

The festival also provided a platform for Nigerian brands to showcase their creations, connect with local and international audiences, and expand their commercial reach.

The event was a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy, valued at an estimated $4.7 billion, with fashion being one of its fastest-growing segments.

This year’s edition also served as a Made By Nigerians-powered retail fair, enabling entrepreneurs to sell directly to thousands of visitors while building long-term brand recognition.

The chief marketing officer of Sterling Bank, Don Okpako explained the strategic intent behind the bank’s involvement, saying, “entrepreneurship has always shaped Nigeria’s progress. At Sterling, our role is to enable the people creating the value that moves this nation forward.

“Our partnership with the AFWN x MBN Fest 2025 reflects that commitment and we are proud to support the businesses driving creativity, growth and opportunity.”

He emphasized fashion’s increasing role in youth employment and national visibility, noting that the partnership was both timely and strategic.

The chief project officer at Made By Nigerians, Chidimma Okoli described the collaboration as a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s creative exports.

“The AFWN x MBN Fest 2025 created access where many entrepreneurs previously faced barriers. It gave Nigerian brands a space to be seen, connect with buyers and grow with confidence in a market that rewards authenticity and innovation,” she said.

She further noted that the fair aligns with MBN’s broader goal of creating measurable economic opportunity for entrepreneurs shaping Nigeria’s cultural and commercial identity.

Founder and executive director of Africa Fashion Week Nigeria and London, Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, shared her optimism for the 2025 edition.

“AFWN was created to help African designers scale and this partnership strengthens that purpose even further. Working with Sterling Bank and MBN increases the visibility, training and commercial support available to talents ready for global demand,” she said.

She added that the 2025 edition stands among the most inclusive and commercially impactful showcases to date.

Sterling Bank’s collaboration with AFWN and MBN sets the foundation for a strong end of-year showcase of African creativity, entrepreneurship and ambition. The partnership highlights the next generation of fashion innovators while strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global creative marketplace.

Founded to scale African design, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria has grown into a respected platform that nurtures creativity, drives innovation and expands global exposure for designers across the continent. Each edition introduces new voices to the runway while unlocking mentorship, training and commercial partnerships for young designers.