RMB Latitudes Art Fair to Shine Spotlight on Nigeria in 2026

Nigeria has been selected as the focal point for the 2026 edition of the RMB Latitudes Art Fair's International Focus programme, a yearly initiative that highlights a specific African nation to foster cultural exchange and collaboration across the continent, as announced by RMB Nigeria Limited.

RMB Nigeria, a prominent African corporate and investment bank and member of the FirstRand Group, will kick off the programme with a curated exhibition at Yenwa Gallery in Lagos on March 26, 2026, marking the initial stage of a cross-continental project connecting Nigeria and Southern Africa ahead of the RMB Latitudes Art Fair in Johannesburg.

The exhibition, organised in collaboration with Yenwa Gallery, will feature a selection of contemporary Nigerian artists, with their works being showcased initially in Lagos and later at the Nigeria Pavilion during the RMB Latitudes Art Fair at Shepstone Gardens in Johannesburg from May 22 to 24, 2026.

The Nigeria Focus initiative is part of the fair's International Focus programme, which aims to connect artists, galleries, and cultural practitioners across Africa with collectors, curators, and institutions through exhibitions and presentations.

According to the organisers, the programme enables deeper engagement with artistic communities across Africa, with Lucy MacGarry, Co-founder of Latitudes, stating that Nigeria Focus creates an opportunity to build lasting relationships between artists, collectors, and institutions across the regions while bringing new perspectives into the Fair.

Bayo Ajayi, Chief Executive Officer of RMB Nigeria, expressed the bank's support for platforms that strengthen Africa's creative economy and promote collaboration among cultural communities on the continent, highlighting the importance of such initiatives.

Ugonna Ibe-Ejiogu, Founder of Yenwa Gallery, noted that the partnership will help strengthen connections between Nigeria and the wider African art market, while creating opportunities for artists to engage with new audiences and expand their reach.