Polaris Bank, renowned as Nigeria’s premier digital retail Bank, recently reaffirmed its unwavering support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by headlining the vibrant two-day Fashion Souk in Lagos.
The Fashion Souk, an exhilarating convergence of fashion enthusiasts, witnessed a surge of businesses vying for grants through a competitive pitch competition. Beyond providing financial assistance, Polaris Bank prioritized customer satisfaction by facilitating seamless transactions with operational POS machines and the award-winning VULTe app, ensuring an immersive and seamless fashion experience.
A pivotal moment of the event was the highly anticipated business pitch competition, where 73 participating firms contended. The eco-friendly Man ‘n’ Queens from Ibadan emerged as the grand prize winner, securing an impressive grant of One Million Naira. Hozy Dare Clothing claimed the first runner-up position, receiving a grant of Five Hundred Thousand Naira, while Il’ese clinched the second runner-up spot, walking away with Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira.
Polaris Bank’s Chief Digital Officer (CDO) highlighted the significance of these grants, expressing the bank’s steadfast commitment to fostering MSME growth and offering continuous support to scale up entrepreneurial endeavors.
During the event’s captivating runway shows and a shopper’s raffle draw, Ijeoma Okolo, goldsmith and proprietor of 2groom Handsmade, praised Polaris Bank for its robust support in advancing MSMEs’ growth. She showcased her exquisite jewelry line adorned with locally sourced Nigerian gemstones.
Adegbaye Adewale, the Founder of KIJIPA, Nigeria’s renowned indigenous Couture, hailed the Souk as an ‘amazing platform’ for certified fashion entrepreneurs. He lauded Polaris Bank’s strategic positioning as a ‘smart Bank’ for recognizing and nurturing the fashion sector’s growth.
Polaris Bank’s commitment to fostering innovation within the MSME sector and driving Nigeria’s economic development earned it the title of Nigeria’s MSME Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay Bank & Other Financial Services Award (BAFI) ceremony held in Lagos last November.
Renowned as a digital-forward Bank, Polaris continues to spearhead customer-centric partnerships, reshaping both businesses and communities alike.