Ecobank Nigeria has announced the return of the Ecobank Adire Lagos festival for a special December edition, scheduled to take place from December 11 to 13, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. The three-day event aims to bring together fashion, art, culture, entertainment, and enterprise, providing a platform for African creativity and small and medium-sized enterprises to showcase their products. This year's edition targets over 35,000 visitors and more than 150 Nigerian and African brands.
The December edition marks the first time Ecobank is staging the festival during the end-of-year festive season, seeking to attract Nigerians returning from abroad, tourists, families, and cultural enthusiasts. According to the organizers, the festival will feature over 150 brands and businesses, including fashion designers, textile merchants, artisans, and lifestyle entrepreneurs. The event will offer a range of activities, including shopping, fashion exhibitions, art displays, food, music, and other cultural experiences.
Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs, Partnerships, and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, emphasized that the festival reflects the bank's commitment to supporting the creative economy by connecting cultural heritage with commercial opportunities. She noted that Ecobank Adire Lagos has grown beyond being simply an exhibition, evolving into an SME and creative enterprise platform that connects culture with commerce, giving businesses visibility, access to customers, and opportunities to grow.
The festival has experienced significant growth since its inception, with attendance increasing from 2,000 in 2022 to 5,000 in 2023, 12,000 in 2024, and 25,000 in 2025. The June 2026 edition saw an attendance of over 35,000, reflecting growing interest in African textiles, cultural expression, and creative entrepreneurship. This growth underscores Ecobank's broader strategy of supporting SMEs beyond access to finance.
According to Odu, supporting SMEs goes beyond providing finance; businesses also need customers, markets, visibility, digital and payment solutions, knowledge, and strategic partnerships. The festival aligns with Ecobank's Pan-African strategy of promoting indigenous businesses and connecting African enterprises to wider market opportunities through its network, partnerships, and financial services.
The event is designed to promote the commercial potential of the creative industry by bringing thousands of consumers into direct contact with small businesses and entrepreneurs. Participating businesses will have opportunities to increase sales, improve brand visibility, acquire customers, and establish long-term business relationships. Members of the public, Nigerians returning home for the festive season, tourists, fashion enthusiasts, art collectors, families, and business owners are invited to attend.
The December edition of Ecobank Adire Lagos aims to provide a marketplace for African creativity and a platform for SMEs, designers, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase their products, attract customers, and expand their businesses. With its growing popularity and ambitious targets, the festival is set to further establish itself as a premier event celebrating African culture and creativity.
Key points
- The festival aims to attract over 35,000 visitors and showcase more than 150 African brands.
- The event will provide a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises to showcase their products and attract customers.
- The festival has experienced significant growth since its inception, with attendance increasing from 2,000 in 2022 to over 35,000 in June 2026.
