Ecobank Adire Lagos Returns In December, Targets 35,000 Visitors, 150 African Brands

Ecobank Nigeria has announced the return of its flagship creative and cultural festival, Ecobank Adire Lagos, with a special December edition scheduled to hold from December 11 to 13, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos.

The three-day festival will bring together fashion, art, culture, entertainment and enterprise, providing a major marketplace for Nigerian and African creativity while creating business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), designers, artisans and other creative entrepreneurs.

For the first time, Ecobank is taking the festival into the December festive season, targeting more than 35,000 visitors, including Nigerians returning from the diaspora, tourists, families and cultural enthusiasts.

The event is expected to feature more than 150 Nigerian and African brands, offering participating businesses opportunities to showcase their products, increase sales, attract new customers and establish valuable business connections.

Visitors will enjoy a rich blend of shopping, fashion exhibitions, art, food, music and cultural experiences, with a strong emphasis on promoting locally made products and African craftsmanship.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ecobank Nigeria’s Head of SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations, Omoboye Odu, said the December edition reinforces the bank’s commitment to connecting culture and creativity with commercial opportunities for African businesses.

She noted that Ecobank Adire Lagos had evolved beyond an exhibition into an SME development platform that provides businesses with visibility, customer access and opportunities for sustainable growth.

According to her, the December edition presents an opportunity to connect creative entrepreneurs with the large consumer audience expected in Lagos during the festive season.

Odu explained that supporting SMEs goes beyond providing financial assistance, stressing the importance of market access, visibility, digital and payment solutions, business knowledge and strategic partnerships.

She added that platforms such as Ecobank Adire Lagos help entrepreneurs build resilient, scalable and sustainable businesses while contributing to job creation and economic development.

Since its inception, the festival has recorded remarkable growth in attendance, rising from 2,000 visitors in 2022 to 5,000 in 2023, 12,000 in 2024, 25,000 in 2025 and more than 35,000 in June 2026.

Exhibitor participation has also increased significantly, reflecting growing interest in African textiles, cultural heritage and creative entrepreneurship.

As a Pan-African financial institution, Ecobank continues to leverage its extensive continental presence, partnerships and business platforms to promote indigenous enterprises and connect African businesses to wider markets.

Beyond celebrating Adire and African craftsmanship, the festival is designed to stimulate commerce by bringing thousands of consumers directly to SMEs and creative businesses, creating opportunities for increased sales, customer acquisition and 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 three-day festival at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, from December 11 to 13, 2026.