As the +234 Art Fair returns in 2026 with a focus on inclusivity and increased access for up-and-coming artists, Ecobank Nigeria, African Finance Corporation (AFC), and other partners are expected to strengthen their support of Nigeria’s creative sector.
The Fair, which was started by Ecobank Nigeria and Soto Gallery, has developed into a well-known venue for up-and-coming, ungalleried Nigerian artists looking for exposure and access to markets. Its name comes from Nigeria’s international dialing code, +234, which is a symbolic declaration of intention to use art, a universal language, to showcase Nigerian innovation on the international scene.
The four-day exhibition, titled “Inclusivity: Widening the Frame,” is set to take place from March 5 to 8, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The subject, according to the organizers, is a conscious attempt to increase representation within the art ecosystem and link a wider variety of creatives to investors, collectors, and viewers throughout the world.
The free-to-enter exhibition will showcase pieces from the fields of painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, and children’s art, providing visitors with an immersive experience that combines commerce, culture, and dialogue. In addition to the exhibition halls, the program will feature masterclasses, seminars, live art installations, panel discussions, and high-level networking events with the goal of fostering stronger connections between the finance and artistic sectors.
The fair’s growth in popularity is demonstrated by its course. Over 18,000 people attended the 2024 and 2025 events, while the number of participating artists rose from 200 to 260. Over 1,100 pieces of art were on display over the course of the two years, and the event was the top trending topic on X in both editions, indicating its increasing national prominence.
Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, stated that the bank’s participation is in line with its larger pan-African mission to assist enterprise and unleash value across non-traditional industries.
As a pan-African banking organization, we acknowledge the creative sector’s revolutionary potential. We are dedicated to giving African creatives—including visual artists—access to markets, visibility, and chances both domestically and abroad,” he stated.
The project, according to Tola Akerele, founder of Soto Gallery and curator of the Fair, is a movement aimed at elevating Nigerian voices.
“The Fair is a movement to elevate Nigerian voices, celebrate our stories, and link our artists to broader markets throughout Africa and beyond. It is more than just an exhibition. “Inclusivity” is a reflection of our commitment to expanding representation and changing visibility in the art world,” she stated.
In a statement, Samaila Zubairu, President and Chief Executive Officer of AFC, stated that the company’s ongoing collaboration highlights the commercial potential present in Africa’s creative sectors.
As we enter our third year of sponsoring the +234 Art Fair, AFC is still dedicated to promoting platforms that unleash the cultural and commercial potential of Africa’s creative sectors. “The Fair demonstrates the ability of Africa’s youthful, vibrant talent to propel innovation, enterprise, and global cultural influence,” he stated.
In addition to running EPAC Studios, a specially designed hub devoted to African storytelling across art, culture, and lifestyle, Ecobank Nigeria has strengthened its position in the creative ecosystem through programs like Adire Lagos, Oja Oge, the Lagos Pop-Up Museum, the SME Bazaar, and the Design & Build Exhibition.
