Emmanuel Ochayi
Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s digital retail bank, has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by taking a role as the headline sponsor of the Fashion Souk, a gathering celebrating fashion in Lagos.
During the two-day event, Polaris Bank showcased its commitment to fostering MSME growth by offering financial support and a seamless banking experience to entrepreneurs participating in the event.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe bank ensured an exciting fashion experience for attendees by providing operational POS machines and facilitating seamless transactions through the award-winning VULTe app.
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The highlight of the Fashion Souk was the intense business pitch competition, where 73 participating firms vied for grants. Man ‘n’ Queens, an eco-friendly brand from Ibadan, clinched the grand prize of One Million Naira.
Hozy Dare Clothing secured the first runner-up position with a grant of Five Hundred Thousand Naira, and Il’ese emerged as the second runner-up, receiving Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira.
Polaris Bank’s Chief Digital Officer (CDO) highlighted the bank’s commitment to MSME growth during the grant presentation, stating, “These prizes reflect Polaris Bank’s commitment to MSME growth, and we will continue, as a Bank, to support and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to scale.”
Amidst the vibrant runway shows and shopper raffle draws entrepreneurs like Ijeoma Okolo, the goldsmith and owner of 2groom Handmade, expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank for its support in the growth of MSMEs. Okolo showcased her exquisite jewelry line, adorned with Nigerian-sourced gemstones.
Adegbaye Adewale, Founder of KIJIPA, Nigeria’s leading indigenous Couture, commended Polaris Bank for its association with the Fashion Souk, describing it as an ‘amazing platform’ for certified fashion entrepreneurs and acknowledging the bank as a ‘smart Bank’ for recognizing and supporting the fashion sector’s growth.
Polaris Bank’s commitment to fostering innovation in the MSME sector and driving Nigeria’s economic development was acknowledged with the ‘Nigeria’s MSME Bank of the Year’ award at the BusinessDay Bank & Other Financial Services Award (BAFI) ceremony in November 2023, held in Lagos.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
