Wema Bank is stepping up support for women entrepreneurs and small businesses as it returns as headline sponsor of Fashion Souk 2026, one of Nigeria’s leading fashion and lifestyle exhibitions.
The bank said the platform has become a strategic marketplace for entrepreneurs, creatives, and business owners to showcase products and services, connect with customers, build professional networks and drive business expansion.
According to the lender, its continued partnership with Fashion Souk has delivered significant economic benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-led businesses.
Data from the 2025 editions of the exhibition showed that participating businesses generated over N1.5 billion in revenue across the June and December Lagos events, with support from Wema Bank. A total of 315 businesses took part in the exhibitions, while female-owned enterprises accounted for more than 90 percent of exhibitors.
The bank noted that the performance underscores its broader efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment and strengthen Nigeria’s SME ecosystem, a critical contributor to employment generation and economic growth.
Building on the success of previous editions, Wema Bank disclosed that Fashion Souk 2026 will hold twice during the year, creating additional opportunities for participating businesses to access new markets, improve brand visibility, attract customers and scale their operations.
The lender added that the initiative aligns with its long-term strategy of promoting entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and sustainable business development, particularly among women-owned enterprises and emerging brands.
Over the years, Fashion Souk has evolved into a major platform for connecting businesses with consumers and fostering innovation across Nigeria’s fashion, beauty, lifestyle and creative sectors.
Through its sustained sponsorship, Wema Bank said it aims to further deepen support for entrepreneurs while contributing to the growth and resilience of the country’s vibrant SME landscape.