Ecobank Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) take advantage of the booming $100 billion global fashion industry, with a strong focus on Africa’s fast-growing creative and textile sectors.

Speaking at the fourth edition of the annual Ecobank Adire Lagos exhibition, the bank’s Head of SMEs, Omoboye Odu, said Ecobank is strategically positioned to support entrepreneurs as a solutions provider.

She explained that while the global fashion market is currently worth over $100 billion, Africa contributes more than $30 billion of that value.

Nigeria, she stressed, must not miss out on its chance to lead on the continent.

“With development finance institutions, such as the World Bank and the IFC, already offering funding facilities to support fashion industries across Africa, there is no reason Nigeria should be left out,” Odu said.

“We want Nigerian entrepreneurs and creatives to be among the top 25 leading voices in African fashion. That’s why Ecobank is creating accessible platforms at no cost to showcase their work to the world.”

The ongoing exhibition is designed to highlight indigenous craftsmanship, especially Adire fabric, serving both as a cultural celebration and a commercial opportunity.

The event provides local artisans, designers, and textile producers, a platform to gain visibility, connect with new markets, and increase their sales both locally and internationally.

Odu recalled that the 2023 edition drew more than 20,000 visitors in just four days.

One vendor reportedly earned ₦30 million in sales, roughly six months’ worth of income, underscoring the business potential of such initiatives.