Stanbic Bank has strengthened its support for Kenya’s creative economy as title sponsor of ‘One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo’. The exclusive concert, headlined by three-time Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar Ne-Yo, will be held on Mashujaa Day, 20 October 2026, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi. Acclaimed UK-based band Sol and the Gang will also take the stage, adding international star power to a platform that opens up opportunities across Kenya’s entertainment value chain.
Beyond giving clients a distinctive, high-value experience, the partnership will benefit the wider ecosystem that powers a major live event, from local artists, producers and technical crews to 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 already makes a significant contribution to Kenya’s economy. A 2021 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) found that it accounts for 5.32% of national GDP and provides formal employment to about 195,000 Kenyans, with many more earning a living in the informal creative sector. Stanbic Bank’s sponsorship acknowledges this economic potential, as well as the role large-scale cultural platforms can play in stimulating demand, building capability and linking local talent and enterprises to wider 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 with several accolades to its name, including Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the Think Business Awards. Through Standard Bank, it was also ranked Africa’s Most Valuable Bank Brand by Brand Finance for the fifth consecutive year.