Moniepoint Inc. has announced its sponsorship of Nigeria’s inaugural federally supported pavilion, Hopes and Impediments, at the fifth edition of the London Design Biennale 2025.
Named after renowned Nigerian novelist and poet Chinua Achebe, the pavilion represents a historic milestone as Nigeria’s first federally supported cultural exhibition of this scale. Besides, the gathering is geared towards championing national representation, digital transformation, and support for the next generation of Nigerian creatives.
Curated and designed by Myles Ikenna Igwebuike, with visual direction and programming by Founder of Culture Lab Africa, Itohan Barlow, Hopes and Impediments challenges conventional narratives of cultural permanence while exploring how heritage, loss, and reinvention shape societal evolution.
The London Design Biennale 2025 opens on June 5th, with the Nigerian Pavilion set to be one of the most anticipated features in this year’s global showcase of design innovation.
Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Moniepoint Inc., Didi Uwemakpan, revealed that the decision to bankroll Hopes and Impediments reflects the company’s commitment to powering not just the financial dreams of Africans everywhere, but also the cultural and creative aspirations that define its collective identity.
“At Moniepoint, we believe that true financial happiness stems from understanding and celebrating our roots while boldly engineering the future. We are proud to partner with the Nigeria Pavilion to celebrate our heritage and showcase our creative ingenuity to the world,” said Uwemakpan.
The Pavilion is part of Nigeria’s broader strategic plan to position its creative economy as a key growth sector, with a target contribution of $100 billion to GDP by 2030.
At the core of the Nigerian Pavilion is the ancient site of Lejja in Enugu State. The Pavilion leverages Heritage Data, including digital reconstructions and immersive experiences, to reimagine Lejja’s 2,000-year history as a platform for future innovation.
In his words, Project Lead and Founder of Culture Lab Africa, Itohan Barlow, says Moniepoint’s support enables the Nigerian pavilion to tell a powerful story, one of history, transformation, and future potential, which in turn elevates Nigeria’s global visibility and unlocks opportunities for the creative sector.
Other partners supporting the Pavilion include Centre for Memories, Nteje Studios, Rollingstones Africa, Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), Royal College of Art, London, The Africa Centre, Leadway Holdings, Value Africa, Pedro’s Africa, Pikd, and ArtSVP. The administering bodies are the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation; and the Nigerian High Commission, London.
