In a strategic move to tap into Nigeria’s burgeoning $4.7 billion creative industry, Sterling Bank served as the headline sponsor for the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria x Made By Nigerians (AFWN x MBN) Festival 2025. The two-day event, held in late 2025, functioned as both a high-fashion runway and a massive retail fair, connecting over 250 emerging entrepreneurs with local and international buyers.
The festival arrived at a critical time, with fashion emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments of the Nigerian economy, particularly in terms of youth employment and cultural export.
Empowering the “Made in Nigeria” Brand
The partnership between Sterling Bank, the Made By Nigerians (MBN) platform, and AFWN focused on shifting the narrative from mere showcase to commercial scale.
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Targeted Support: The fair specifically spotlighted designers with three to seven years of experience, a critical growth phase where many businesses struggle to transition from local craft to global trade.
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Direct-to-Consumer Retail: Unlike traditional fashion weeks, the MBN-powered retail fair allowed thousands of visitors to purchase directly from designers, providing immediate cash flow and brand recognition.
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Global Readiness: The festival provided mentorship and training aimed at preparing Nigerian brands for the rigorous demands of international market entry.
Sterling Bank’s “HEART” for Creativity
While Sterling Bank is well-known for its HEART strategy—focusing on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation—this sponsorship reaffirms its commitment to the Creative Economy as a sixth unofficial pillar.
Don Okpako, Chief Marketing Officer of Sterling Bank, emphasized that the bank’s role is to “enable the people creating the value that moves the nation forward.” By supporting the fashion sector, the bank is investing in an industry that:
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Drives Jobs: Fashion is a labor-intensive sector capable of absorbing a large portion of the youth population.
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Strengthens Communities: Local production hubs foster regional economic development.
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Enhances National Visibility: Creative exports serve as a form of “soft power,” improving Nigeria’s global reputation.
Strategic Leadership Perspectives
The success of the 2025 edition was driven by a collaborative vision from industry leaders:
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Chidimma Okoli (CPO, Made By Nigerians): Noted that the festival created a “springboard” for homegrown brands ready to scale, breaking down previous barriers to market access.
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Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi (Founder, AFWN): Stated that the partnership with a major financial institution like Sterling Bank increases the commercial support and training available to talents ready for global demand.
