Sterling Bank served as the headline sponsor of the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria x Made By Nigerians Festival 2025, which was recently concluded in Lagos.
In a statement on Sunday, it was revealed that the two-day event brought together Africa’s top designers and over 250 emerging fashion and trade entrepreneurs, who showcased their creations, connected with local and international audiences, and expanded their commercial reach.
The AFWN x MBN Fest 2025 took place at a pivotal time for Nigeria’s creative economy, a sector valued at an estimated $4.7bn, with fashion ranked among its fastest-growing segments. The fair spotlighted emerging designers with three to seven years of industry experience, increasing their visibility and strengthening opportunities for global market entry. This year’s edition also served as a Made by Nigerians-powered retail fair, enabling entrepreneurs to sell directly to thousands of visitors while building long-term brand recognition.
For Made by Nigerians, the collaboration advances its mission to empower Nigerian creators with access to markets, tools, and visibility that support sustainable growth. As a platform committed to local production and expanding commercial pathways for homegrown brands, MBN continues to function as a springboard for designers and small businesses ready to scale.
Sterling Bank reiterated that it remains a financial partner of choice for entrepreneurs whose ideas and enterprises are reshaping Nigeria’s growth narrative.
Chief Marketing Officer of Sterling Bank, Don Okpako, explained the strategic intent behind the bank’s involvement, saying, “Entrepreneurship has always shaped Nigeria’s progress. At Sterling, our role is to enable the people creating the value that moves this nation forward. Our partnership with the AFWN x MBN Fest 2025 reflects that commitment, and we are proud to support the businesses driving creativity, growth, and opportunity.”
He emphasised fashion’s increasing role in youth employment and national visibility, noting that the partnership was both timely and strategic.
Chief Project Officer at Made by Nigerians, Chidimma Okoli, described the collaboration as a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s creative exports.
“The AFWN x MBN Fest 2025 created access where many entrepreneurs previously faced barriers. It gave Nigerian brands a space to be seen, connect with buyers, and grow with confidence in a market that rewards authenticity and innovation,” she said.
She further noted that the fair aligns with MBN’s broader goal of creating measurable economic opportunity for entrepreneurs, shaping Nigeria’s cultural and commercial identity.
Meanwhile, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, which was founded to scale African design, has grown into a platform that nurtures creativity, drives innovation, and expands global exposure for designers across the continent.
Founder and Executive Director of Africa Fashion Week Nigeria and London, Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, shared her optimism for the 2025 edition, saying, “AFWN was created to help African designers scale, and this partnership strengthens that purpose even further. Working with Sterling Bank and MBN increases the visibility, training, and commercial support available to talents ready for global demand,” she said, adding that the 2025 edition stands among the most inclusive and commercially impactful showcases to date.
