Ecobank Nigeria is targeting more than 35,000 visitors and 150 African brands for the December edition of its Adire Lagos festival, as the bank seeks to create wider market opportunities for small businesses and creative entrepreneurs.
The three day event is scheduled to hold from December 11 to 13, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos. It will bring together fashion designers, artisans, textile merchants and other businesses in the creative industry. The festival will feature fashion exhibitions, shopping, art, food, music and cultural activities, giving participating businesses an opportunity to display their products, attract customers and establish commercial relationships.
According to Ecobank, the December edition will be the first time the festival is taking place during the end of year festive season. The timing is expected to attract Nigerians returning from abroad, tourists and other visitors to Lagos. Speaking ahead of the event, Ecobank Nigeria’s Head of SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations, Omoboye Odu, said the festival had developed beyond a conventional exhibition by connecting African culture with business opportunities.
“Ecobank Adire Lagos has grown beyond being simply an exhibition. It is an SME and creative enterprise platform that connects culture with commerce, giving businesses visibility, access to customers and opportunities to grow,” she said.
Odu explained that the bank wanted exhibitors to use the platform to increase sales, build relationships with customers and expand their businesses beyond the event. She added that the December edition would allow creative entrepreneurs to reach more consumers during the festive period, when commercial activities and visitor numbers typically increase.
Since its introduction in 2022, Adire Lagos has recorded steady growth in attendance. The inaugural edition attracted 2,000 visitors, while the number increased to 5,000 in 2023, 12,000 in 2024 and 25,000 in 2025. According to Ecobank, attendance exceeded 35,000 during the June 2026 edition, reflecting growing public interest in African fashion, textiles and cultural products.
The bank also emphasised that its support for small and medium sized enterprises extends beyond providing loans and other financial services.
“For us, supporting SMEs goes beyond providing finance. Businesses also need customers, markets, visibility, digital and payment solutions, knowledge and the right partnerships,” Odu said.
Ecobank said the festival forms part of its broader strategy to strengthen African businesses by connecting entrepreneurs with customers, investors and wider commercial networks. Beyond promoting Adire fabrics and African craftsmanship, the event is expected to help participating brands improve their visibility, increase revenue and develop lasting business relationships.
The bank is inviting members of the public, fashion enthusiasts, families, tourists and Nigerians returning home for the holidays to attend the three day festival. The initiative also highlights the growing commercial potential of Nigeria’s creative industry, particularly in fashion, textiles and locally produced cultural products.
