Arewa Festival 2025 Unites Entrepreneurs, Creative across Northern Nigeria

The Arewa Festival 2025 has emerged as one of the most unifying economic and cultural platforms in Northern Nigeria in recent times, drawing thousands of entrepreneurs, creatives, traders, investors and young people from across the region.

Convened by Tripoint Academy for Tourism and Enterprise Development in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Lagos, the festival was held across Kano and 18 other northern states, reviving the spirit of ancient African trade while spotlighting modern enterprise, creativity and innovation.

Speaking during the pre-event press conference, co-convener of the festival, Mrs. Muhammed Shuhda, said the initiative was designed to celebrate Northern Nigeria’s identity while fostering unity and economic collaboration.

“Arewa represents Northern Nigeria, and when people hear ‘Arewa Festival’, that identity naturally comes to mind. With the Global Entrepreneurship Week theme, Together, We Build, we wanted to create a platform that unites Northern entrepreneurs, not only to celebrate trade and enterprise but also to showcase the many beautiful things Nigeria has to offer,” she said.

According to the organisers, the festival attracted over 30,000 participants across the 19 northern states, with 871 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and vendors showcasing products spanning agriculture, fashion, crafts, technology and hospitality.

Dignitaries at the event included Dr. Olawale Anifowose, Managing Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (Nigeria); Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director of the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University; Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, Managing Director of SANEF Limited; the Emir of Kano, represented by the Jarman Kano; and Ambassador Tomas Vyprachticky, Czech Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, among others.

A major highlight of Arewa Festival 2025 was the official launch of AREWATECH, Africa Rebuilds Economy With Agriculture, Trade, Entrepreneurship, Creatives & Hospitality, a long-term development blueprint aimed at accelerating Northern Nigeria’s economic reawakening.

Dr. Anifowose noted that the festival is designed to be a recurring national platform that will continue to showcase the entrepreneurial and creative strength of the North.

“What we want to achieve with the Arewa Festival is to continuously showcase the creativity and entrepreneurial strength of Northern Nigeria. The Festival will move to different parts of the country, still as Arewa Festival, giving entrepreneurs and creatives from the North the opportunity to show what they have in every region of Nigeria,” he said.

The AREWATECH initiative is expected to drive competitive agricultural value chains, improve inter-state and cross-border trade, strengthen youth employment and entrepreneurship, grow the creative and digital economy, and position Northern Nigeria as a tourism and hospitality destination.

Over the two-day grand event, the festival blended commerce with culture, featuring vibrant SME marketplaces, durbar displays, fashion shows, cultural performances and indigenous culinary experiences. State-wide entrepreneurship masterclasses, held under the Global Entrepreneurship Week theme, promoted collaboration, leadership and innovation, while young creatives showcased talents across fashion, art and digital expression.

Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, managing director of SANEF Limited, highlighted the festival’s role in advancing financial inclusion in the North.

Uche Uzoebo (Mrs.), MD/CEO, SANEF Limited

“When we talk about financial inclusion, we must also talk about access points. That’s why this Festival matters to us at SANEF Limited. The North has one of the highest exclusion rates, and this platform allows us to bring more people into the financial space through literacy, empowerment and meaningful impact,” she said.

Building on the success of the 2025 edition, the organisers said plans are underway to expand the Arewa Festival experience to Southern and Western Nigeria, deepen the implementation of AREWATECH across states, establish annual innovation hubs and marketplaces, strengthen regional trade corridors, and scale year-round entrepreneurship support programmes.

With its blend of heritage, enterprise and innovation, Arewa Festival 2025 has reinforced a shifting narrative for Northern Nigeria, one of renewed confidence, collaboration and economic transformation.

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