Moniepoint Inc. has announced its official sponsorship of “Hopes and Impediments,” Nigeria’s first federally supported national pavilion at the prestigious London Design Biennale 2025. This marks a significant cultural milestone for the country as it takes its place on the global stage of design and innovation.
The pavilion, named in honour of acclaimed Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, reflects a pivotal effort to amplify Nigeria’s creative voice internationally. It also underscores a commitment to nurturing digital transformation, youthful innovation, and national representation through the creative economy.
Curated by Myles Ikenna Igwebuike, with visual direction and programming led by Itohan Barlow, founder of Culture Lab Africa, the exhibition challenges static notions of heritage. Hopes and Impediments reinterpret cultural memory and reinvention as essential forces for societal evolution.
The Nigerian Pavilion is one of the most anticipated features at this year’s Biennale, which opens on June 5 in London. It showcases immersive installations and cutting-edge visual storytelling, placing Nigeria’s creative depth and digital ingenuity at the heart of a global dialogue.
Speaking on the sponsorship, Didi Uwemakpan, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Moniepoint Inc., stated that the initiative aligns with the fintech giant’s broader commitment to fostering both economic and cultural prosperity.
“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,” Uwemakpan said.
The exhibition contributes to Nigeria’s strategic goal of positioning its creative economy as a major growth sector, with projections to generate $100 billion in GDP by 2030. At its core, the pavilion leverages digital technology to reimagine the ancient Lejja site in Enugu State—a 2,000-year-old archaeological landmark—using immersive heritage data and virtual reconstructions to blend the past with the future.
Project Lead Itohan Barlow emphasized that Moniepoint’s sponsorship has enabled the team to deliver a powerful narrative—one that fuses legacy, transformation, and potential. This, he said, would not only elevate Nigeria’s international visibility but also open new pathways for its creative professionals.
“This pavilion is not just a design showcase. It’s a story of who we are, where we come from, and where we’re going. It’s a tool for reimagining Nigerian identity on a global scale,” Barlow added.
In addition to Moniepoint, the project has attracted support from several key partners, including: 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 Nigerian Pavilion is being administered by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation and the Nigerian High Commission in London.
