The Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience, held at the expansive Ecobank Pan African Center (EPAC) in Lagos, was a vibrant hub of activity and excitement over the weekend.
The three-day Adire exhibition, marking the second edition organized by the bank, aimed to promote culture, tourism, and the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Adire textile, originating from Abeokuta in Southwestern Nigeria, captivated attendees with its indigenous indigo-dyed cloth, adorned with stunning designs created using various wax resist methods.
The exhibition drew a multitude of distinguished exhibitors, government officials, cultural enthusiasts, social media influencers, artists, local and international tourists, traditional leaders, diplomats, and members of the National Union Textile Garment Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (Adire Sector).
Bolaji Lawal, the Managing Director/Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, expressed the bank’s commitment to supporting the growth of MSMEs in Nigeria through its endorsement of Adire textile. He emphasized the bank’s admiration and motivation drawn from the tremendous success of the inaugural edition held the previous year.
“We believe that through this event we are showcasing the enormous potentials in adire clothes. If you look at what Ghana has done with kente and America with jeans, we want to promote adire as a Nigerian clothing brand to the world,” he stated.
In a similar vein, Kola Adeleke, the Executive Director of Commercial Banking, remarked that the bank’s assistance aimed to link SMEs with global opportunities and enable them to thrive in the AfCFTA environment. He emphasized that the bank’s extensive presence across Africa and its integrated payment system positioned it well to elevate “adire” to the international stage.
According to him, “Ecobank has the largest presence in Africa. We have presence in 33 countries in Africa. That gives us the opportunity and advantage to connect African businesses across the continent. When you look at the impact, we are making in the SME sector in the country, there is a need to deepen the opportunities in the market. Producing quality products will give our Nigerian producers the opportunity to sell their products to other Africans across the continent.”
Adeleke noted that the bank’s support for adire goes beyond mere exhibition and extends to assisting producers in accessing the international market. He highlighted that Ecobank has developed a single market app that allows customers to showcase and promote their products. This app is accessible to other Africans throughout the continent, exemplifying the bank’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs globally.
The Head of Consumer Banking, Mrs. Korede Demola-Adeniyi, emphasized that the exhibition is a significant contribution by the bank to enhance the nation’s tourism, culture, and creative industry, with adire serving as a pivotal catalyst. She expressed the bank’s satisfaction with the impressive presence of distinguished exhibitors, vendors, and dignitaries from various parts of the world.
“The bank is encouraged with the success of the maiden edition which took place last year. It is in line with our brand promise as a pan-African institution to promote culture and boost tourism on the continent. We are impressed with the patronage and interest shown by exhibitors and dignitaries from all walks of life.” “The 3-days event also featured a series of masterclasses as well as networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, shoppers and everyone interested in the making or trading of adire,” she said.
The cross section of exhibitors, shoppers, and vendors expressed their admiration for Ecobank, enthusiastically endorsing the Pan African bank’s commitment to making the event an annual occurrence. They showered Ecobank with praises, urging them to fulfill their promise.