Ecobank Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and promoting local industries following the successful conclusion of the fifth edition of the Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience.
The four-day international exhibition ended on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. The event attracted more than 30,000 visitors, including shoppers, exhibitors, industry stakeholders, diplomats, and cultural enthusiasts.
The exhibition celebrated Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and indigenous fashion while providing a platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products. Hundreds of exhibitors displayed Adire fabrics, footwear, fashion accessories, leather products, beauty items, and arts and crafts.
Beyond sales, the event created opportunities for small businesses to access new markets, engage directly with customers, and establish valuable business connections.
Several notable personalities attended the event, including former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, and the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. Senior banking executives and members of the diplomatic community were also present.
Speaking on the success of the exhibition, Ecobank Nigeria’s Managing Director and Regional Executive, Bolaji Lawal, thanked exhibitors, partners, customers, and visitors for contributing to the event’s achievements.
“We are delighted with the tremendous turnout and positive impact recorded during this year’s Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience,” Lawal said.
“We sincerely appreciate all our exhibitors, partners, customers, guests, and visitors who contributed to making the event a remarkable success.”
Lawal said the resilience and creativity demonstrated by local businesses continue to inspire the bank’s investment in the creative and retail sectors.
According to him, the exhibition aligns with Ecobank’s broader vision of empowering entrepreneurs, preserving cultural heritage, promoting intra-African trade, and driving economic growth.
“The success of this year’s edition reinforces Ecobank’s commitment to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises, promoting local industries, and creating sustainable opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive,” he added.
Exhibitors commended Ecobank for providing a platform that removed many of the logistical challenges associated with hosting large-scale commercial exhibitions.
One textile exhibitor noted that the event not only boosted immediate sales but also generated long-term business opportunities.
“This exhibition has provided us with a unique space to not only increase our immediate sales but also generate valuable, long-term business leads,” the exhibitor said.
Visitors also praised the annual fair for its role in promoting African craftsmanship and supporting regional cultural tourism.
A regular attendee described the exhibition as an important platform for local enterprise and creativity.
“The fair has evolved over the years into a major platform for promoting local enterprise and creativity. Seeing corporate bodies consistently back our local fabrics on this scale gives local fashion a massive global appeal,” the attendee remarked.
Since its launch, the Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading cultural and business exhibitions. The event continues to serve as a key commercial platform for indigenous traders while positioning traditional African textiles for wider international recognition.
