In the lush garden of the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, the air was alive with more than just conversation, t pulsed with possibility. Creatives, policymakers, investors, and innovators gathered not just for another launch, but for the birth of a movement.
That movement is The Creative Currency Podcast, a bold new platform co-created by Woodhall Finance House, in partnership with the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade, Polaris Bank, and the Lagos State Government.
More than just a podcast, it’s a media-meets-money initiative designed to serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria’s flourishing creative sector.
Where Culture Meets Capital
For too long, Nigeria’s creative economy, rich in talent and global influence, has faced a paradox: international admiration without adequate domestic investment. The Creative Currency Podcast seeks to change that narrative by weaving together policy, finance, and storytelling in a way that attracts both global attention and local investment.
Hosted at a landmark event by Mr. Jonny Baxter, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, the initiative gathered key players across sectors, high-net-worth individuals, DFIs, venture firms, cultural icons, and government leaders, to declare a new era of creative diplomacy and financial innovation.
“This is about more than promotion,” Baxter noted. “It’s about real investment, real partnerships, and real opportunities. Through initiatives like this, and the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, we are helping the creative sector become a key driver of economic transformation.”
Lagos: The Beating Heart of African Creativity
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose, commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, reaffirmed Lagos’s status as the creative capital of Africa. She highlighted the city’s role as a launchpad for talent, technology, and trade across the continent, emphasizing the state’s continued commitment to enabling the creative economy.
Financing the Future: ₦1.5 Billion for Creative Entrepreneurs
The event’s momentum peaked with a powerful announcement by Woodhall Finance House: the launch of a ₦1.5 billion Creative Sector Fund. Aimed at export-ready enterprises and growth-focused SMEs in fashion, film, music, digital arts, and beauty, the fund signals a shift from applause to action.
“Creativity is not abstract—it’s a bankable commodity,” declared Mrs. Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, Founder and President of Woodhall Capital. “We must finance our own narratives. This fund is our commitment to scale creative businesses, back bold ideas, and turn culture into capital.”
A panel discussion featuring Abimbola Ozomah (Polaris Bank), Sola Carrena (Helios Investment Partners), and Hunponu-Wusu spotlighted blended finance, creative bonds, and factoring as tools to unlock the untapped financial potential of Nigeria’s creative industries.
Cross-Cultural Sparks: The Fireside Chat
The evening transitioned into a vibrant fireside chat on UK-Nigeria cultural synergies. Moderated with warmth and wit, it featured Veekee James Atere, Shaffy Bello, and Mark Smithson of the UK’s Department for Business and Trade.
The conversation explored how collaboration across borders can drive innovation, empower storytellers, and reshape how Africa shows up on the global stage.
Jollof & Tea: A Fusion of Identity and Intention
As the sun set, so did formalities, giving way to a cultural fusion experience under the UK’s Jollof and Tea campaign.
Over traditional Nigerian flavors and British tea pairings, guests bonded over shared dreams and disruptive ideas. It was more than a dinner, it was diplomacy with a dash of spice.
The Creative Currency Podcast: More Than a Show
As Africa’s creative industries continue to attract global demand, The Creative Currency Podcast is stepping in as a transaction hub, a storytelling platform, and a tool for structural reform. Positioned at the intersection of finance, policy, and pop culture, it’s a bold reimagining of what media can do, transforming visibility into viability and culture into commerce.
