Ne-Yo Headlines Stanbic Bank-Sponsored Mashujaa Day Concert in Nairobi

**More than 3,500 music fans gathered at Ulinzi Sports Complex for the ‘One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo’, an event that showcased international talent while creating business opportunities across Kenya’s creative economy.**

NAIROBI, Kenya — More than 3,500 music fans converged at Nairobi’s Ulinzi Sports Complex on Mashujaa Day for the highly anticipated _One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo_, a premium daytime concert sponsored by Stanbic Bank.

The event, which ran from 3:30 pm to shortly after 8:00 pm, featured a lineup of three live acts, blending local talent with international performances in a celebration of music and entertainment.

Kenyan musician Mutoriah opened the show with a high-energy performance before UK-based band Sol and the Gang took to the stage with a vibrant set. Three-time Grammy Award-winning R&B star Ne-Yo headlined the concert, bringing the afternoon’s performances to a close.

Top Kenyan DJs kept the predominantly millennial audience entertained throughout the event, maintaining an energetic atmosphere while reinforcing the appeal of the daytime concert format.

Beyond the performances, the concert provided a commercial platform for Kenya’s creative industry, generating business opportunities for artists, technical crews, sound engineers, production specialists, hospitality providers, security personnel, vendors and micro- and small enterprises involved in delivering the event.

Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan Chief Executive Michael Mutiga said the concert demonstrated how large-scale entertainment events can combine world-class performances with tangible economic benefits for local businesses.

“Yesterday was a powerful demonstration of what happens when world-class entertainment meets meaningful local economic impact,” Mutiga said.

He noted that bringing more than 3,000 fans together created business opportunities for the artists, technical teams, vendors, hospitality partners and small enterprises that supported the production.

“Kenya’s creative sector is a dynamic driver of growth, and Stanbic Bank remains committed to strengthening this ecosystem, raising its commercial profile, and supporting the livelihoods anchored in it,” he added.

Creative economy drives employment and growth

Kenya’s creative industry remains an important contributor to economic development, supporting employment and livelihoods across both formal and informal sectors.

A 2021 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) found that the creative industry contributes 5.32 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product and provides formal employment for approximately 195,000 people, alongside extensive livelihood opportunities in the informal economy.

Stanbic Bank’s sponsorship of cultural and entertainment platforms reflects a strategy of linking consumer experiences with broader economic opportunities. Such events can stimulate domestic demand, showcase local production capabilities and connect home-grown enterprises with commercial opportunities.

Lilian Onyach, Head of Brand and Marketing at Stanbic Bank Kenya, said the concert was designed to offer clients and music enthusiasts a distinctive daytime entertainment experience.

“We set out to offer our clients and music enthusiasts a distinctive, world-class daytime experience, and the turnout and energy yesterday proved just how vibrant Kenya’s entertainment market is,” Onyach said.

She added that the mid-afternoon start and early finish preserved the event’s brunch concept while showcasing the artistic talent, logistical expertise and commercial capacity of Kenya’s creative industry.

Stanbic Bank highlights brand leadership

The concert adds to Stanbic Bank’s efforts to strengthen its brand positioning through sponsorships and consumer engagement initiatives.

The bank was recently named Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the Think Business Awards. At the group level, Standard Bank Group was recognised by Brand Finance as Africa’s Most Valuable Bank Brand for the fifth consecutive year.

Through its support of entertainment and cultural events, Stanbic Bank is seeking to reinforce the commercial value of Kenya’s creative economy while delivering premium experiences to customers and music enthusiasts.

The Mashujaa Day concert brought together international star power, Kenyan performers and local businesses, highlighting the potential of live entertainment to serve as both a cultural attraction and a platform for economic activity.