Ne-Yo
The Grammy-winning R&B star headlines an October concert the bank says will generate economic ripple effects well beyond the stage
By Grace Wanja
Stanbic Bank has thrown its weight behind Kenya’s creative economy by taking up title sponsorship of One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo, an exclusive concert headlined by the three-time Grammy Award-winning R&B artist scheduled for Mashujaa Day, 20 October, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi. Acclaimed UK-based act Sol and the Gang will also perform, adding further international flavour to an event the bank is positioning as much more than a night out.
The bank says its involvement is designed to generate economic benefits that extend well beyond the performance itself — reaching local artists, producers, technical crews, hospitality providers, suppliers, and small businesses that form the backbone of Kenya’s live entertainment industry. For Stanbic, the sponsorship is a deliberate expression of its strategic interest in helping the creative sector grow, professionalise, and unlock greater commercial value.
Michael Mutiga, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan, said the scale of the event created a genuine opportunity to combine a world-class experience with 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.”
The numbers behind the sector give that statement considerable weight. A 2021 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization and the Kenya Copyright Board found that the creative industry contributes 5.32% to national GDP and supports formal employment for approximately 195,000 Kenyans, with a significantly larger number earning livelihoods through the informal creative economy. Stanbic’s sponsorship is a recognition that large-scale cultural events can do real work in stimulating demand, building capability, and connecting local talent to broader commercial opportunities.
Lilian Onyach, Head of Brand and Marketing at Stanbic Bank Kenya, said the partnership was about more than premium entertainment. “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 memorable experience, but it will also build community, raise the visibility of the sector, and enable the many local businesses and professionals whose work powers live entertainment.”
Stanbic Bank has established itself as one of Kenya’s most recognised financial institutions, having been named Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the Think Business Awards. Its parent, Standard Bank, has been ranked Africa’s Most Valuable Bank Brand by Brand Finance for five consecutive years.
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