Stanbic Bank backs Kenya's Creative Economy with Global Act
Stanbic Bank has reinforced its support for Kenya’s creative economy through its title sponsorship of ‘One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo’. Headlined by three-time Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar Ne-Yo, the exclusive concert will take place on Mashujaa Day, 20 October 2026, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
Acclaimed UK-based band Sol and the Gang will also perform, bringing international star power to a platform that creates opportunities across Kenya’s entertainment value chain.
Beyond offering clients a distinctive, high-value experience, the partnership will support the wider ecosystem behind a major live event, including local artists, producers, technical crews, hospitality providers, suppliers and small businesses. It reflects the bank’s strategic focus on helping Kenya’s vibrant creative sector grow, professionalise and unlock greater economic value.
“Bringing an artist of Ne-Yo’s calibre to Nairobi is an opportunity to pair a world-class experience with meaningful local economic impact. Our support goes beyond the performance itself: it helps create opportunities for the artists, producers, technical teams, vendors and small businesses that bring an event of this scale to life. Kenya’s creative economy is a dynamic growth sector, and through partnerships such as ‘One Night Only’, we are helping to strengthen the ecosystem, expand its visibility and support the livelihoods connected to it,” said Michael Mutiga, Chief Executive, Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan.
The creative sector is already an important contributor to Kenya’s economy. According to a 2021 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), it contributes 5.32% to national GDP and provides formal employment for approximately 195,000 Kenyans, with many more earning livelihoods in the informal creative sector. Stanbic Bank’s sponsorship recognises this economic potential and the role that large-scale cultural platforms can play in stimulating demand, building capability and connecting local talent and enterprises to broader opportunities.
Lilian Onyach, Head, Brand and Marketing, Stanbic Bank Kenya, said, “Through this sponsorship, we are connecting our customers to world-class entertainment while creating a platform that celebrates the depth and commercial potential of Kenya’s creative industry. ‘One Night Only’ will deliver a premium, memorable experience, but it will also build community, raise the visibility of the sector and enable many local businesses and professionals whose work powers live entertainment.”
Stanbic Bank is a well-recognised brand and has received several accolades to that effect: Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the Think Business Awards and through Standard Bank, was ranked as Africa’s Most Valuable Bank Brand by Brand Finance for the fifth consecutive year.