Ecobank Nigeria is urging fashion-focused Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to capitalize on the immense export potential within the global fashion industry, valued at over $100 billion, to generate foreign exchange and bolster the domestic economy.
At the fourth edition of Ecobank’s annual Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair, Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs at Ecobank Nigeria, highlighted the bank’s commitment to empowering fashion entrepreneurs to harness both local and international market opportunities.
She emphasized that Africa’s contribution to the global fashion sector exceeds $30 billion, with Nigeria well-positioned to become a leading force in this vibrant market.
“With backing from development finance institutions like the World Bank and the IFC, which provide dedicated funding to African fashion industries, Nigeria has every reason to seize this opportunity,” Odu said. “Ecobank is dedicated to creating accessible, cost-free platforms that showcase Nigerian creativity to the world.”
The Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair spotlights indigenous textile craftsmanship, especially the iconic Adire fabric, blending cultural celebration with business growth. The event offers local artisans, designers, and textile producers a valuable stage to gain visibility, drive sales, and connect with broader markets at home and abroad.
Reflecting on previous successes, Odu noted that last year’s fair attracted over 20,000 visitors in just four days, with one vendor generating N30 million in sales — equivalent to half a year’s revenue — underscoring the event’s strong commercial impact.
This year, over 130 vendors will display a wide variety of Adire designs, fashion items, and lifestyle products, drawing a diverse audience including fashion enthusiasts, cultural experts, entrepreneurs, and shoppers nationwide and beyond.
Distinguished guests gracing the fair have included Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Lagos State First Lady Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of the former Ekiti State Governor; Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo; former Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh; Dr. Segun Aina, founding President of the FinTech Association of Nigeria (FANI); and renowned artist Nike Davies-Okundaye, founder of Nike Art Gallery.
Odu expressed excitement about this year’s fair, which promises a vibrant mix of established brands and emerging designers showcasing innovation, cultural heritage, and export readiness.
She reiterated the event’s significance as a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative for Ecobank, offering SMEs a free platform to display their products while contributing to economic development and national unity.
Exhibitors praised the growing appeal of Adire designs. Fadilat Lawal, Managing Director of Sanyaolu Trading Stores in Abeokuta, highlighted the fabric’s durability and cultural significance, while Cynthia Uma, Creative Director of Cecesignature Unisex Clothing in Lagos, underscored Adire’s expanding global recognition as a key revenue driver for her brand.
