Lagos, Nigeria – Woodhall Finance House has launched “The Creative Currency Podcast” in collaboration with the UK Government and other partners, unveiling a ₦1.5 billion (approximately £1 million) sector fund aimed at boosting Nigeria’s burgeoning creative economy. The initiative seeks to transform the industry through a blend of finance, culture, and diplomacy.
The launch event, hosted by British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter at his Lagos residence on July 11, 2025, gathered senior policymakers, investors, and leading creatives. The podcast is designed to function as both a media platform and an economic catalyst, aiming to drive investment, strengthen cross-border partnerships, and reinforce the UK-Nigeria creative network.
Driving Investment and Collaboration
Jonny Baxter underscored the UK’s commitment to creative collaboration, stating, “The UK is proud to support Nigeria’s creative economy through long-term partnerships that combine innovation, investment, and cultural exchange. This is about creating real opportunities, building lasting partnerships, and empowering the next generation of African talent to thrive on the global stage.” He noted that the initiative builds on the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) through the Creative Industries Technical Working Group.
Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose, representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delivered a keynote address highlighting Lagos’s position as Africa’s creative capital. A panel discussion on financing Africa’s creative economy, featuring Mrs. Abimbola Ozomah of Polaris Bank, Sola Carrena of Helios Investment Partners, and Mrs. Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu of Woodhall Capital, emphasized the need for innovative financial instruments like blended finance and creative bonds.
As a tangible commitment, Woodhall Finance House announced the ₦1.5 billion Creative Sector Fund, intended to support export-ready creative enterprises and growth-oriented SMEs across fashion, film, music, beauty, and digital arts.
A fireside chat on “UK-Nigeria Cultural Synergies to Drive Global Innovation and Transformation” included insights from creatives like Veekee James Atere and Shaffy Bello, alongside Mark Smithson, Country Director for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
“Cultural Capital into Economic Power”
Commenting on the sector fund, Woodhall Capital Founder and President Hunponu-Wusu stressed the economic potential of creativity. “Creativity is no longer an abstract asset, it is a bankable commodity and must be treated as such by policymakers, investors, and financiers,” she said. “Nobody can tell the Nigerian story like we Nigerians, and nobody is coming to save us. If we want to see real change, we must build our own table, design our own systems, and finance our own narratives. Our ₦1.5 billion Creative Sector Fund is our commitment to doing just that: backing bold ideas, scaling creative businesses, and turning cultural capital into economic power.”
The launch concluded with a “Jollof and Tea” cultural exchange, a symbolic event fusing Nigerian and British identities through cuisine and networking, fostering discussions on identity, investment, and the evolving global narrative of African creativity. The Creative Currency Podcast aims to be a diplomatic instrument, transaction hub, and catalyst for structural reform in Africa’s creative economy.
Add Comment