Sterling Bank Supports Creative Economy with C.R.E.A.M Platform

Sterling Bank hosted an industry event, “Co-Creating Financial Solutions for Nigeria’s Tourism, Arts and Creative Economy,” at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. The event brought together stakeholders from the financial sector, tourism, arts, and the creative ecosystem to explore how tailored financial infrastructure can foster growth in these areas.

C.R.E.A.M. Platform and Financial Inclusion

D’Banj, speaking at the event, highlighted that the C.R.E.A.M platform was developed based on experience within the creative industry. The platform has spent the last 10 years addressing structural gaps that hinder creators’ ability to grow, monetize, and sustain their work. He stated that the platform was “created by practitioners, for practitioners,” and emphasized the abundance of talent alongside the persistent challenge of access to structured finance.

C.R.E.A.M Pay Launch

A key development was the rollout of C.R.E.A.M Pay, a financial solution designed to provide creators with structured access to banking and payment services. This wallet, co-branded by C.R.E.A.M and Sterling Bank, allows creators to receive and manage income from various revenue streams.

Creators can use the platform to receive earnings from global streaming platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, MTN Caller Ring Back Tunes, and Africa’s first direct-to-fan digital music purchase service, Full Content Download.

D’Banj described the Sterling – C.R.E.A.M Pay as a critical step in bridging creativity and finance, providing creators with access, structure, dignity, and control over their earnings while recognizing their intellectual property as a real asset. He noted that it addresses the exclusion of creatives from financial systems that support growth and sustainability.

Sustainability Initiatives

C.R.E.A.M platform is in ongoing discussions with Sterling Bank to explore sustainability within the creative economy, including the potential for green energy and sustainable financing models to support creators with cleaner mobility and renewable power solutions.

Decarbonization Initiative and Electric Vehicle Program

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of C.R.E.A.M platform’s decarbonization initiative, developed in collaboration with Sterling Bank. This initiative allows creatives to acquire electric vehicles and solar energy through convenient payment plans via the C.R.E.A.M platform.

Nigerian entertainer Olufemi Oladapo Oke-Oko, known as Slimcase, was recognized as the first beneficiary of the initiative, receiving an electric vehicle valued at over $50,000. This demonstrates a tangible step toward reducing carbon emissions within the creative ecosystem.

Slimcase expressed appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of cleaner mobility solutions and structured financial support for creatives. He was also appointed as a C.R.E.A.M platform ambassador.

Future Growth and C.R.E.A.M Platform Overview

With Sterling Bank as its financial partner, C.R.E.A.M platform aims to strengthen the infrastructure supporting creators across music, arts, film, and digital content, positioning the platform for growth across Nigeria and Africa.

C.R.E.A.M. (Creative Reality, Entertainment, Arts & Music) is a creator-focused ecosystem founded by Dapo “D’Banj” Oyebanjo to discover, empower, and monetize creative talent across Africa. Operating for over a decade, the platform provides creators with access to monetization pathways, financial infrastructure, and industry opportunities via web and USSD.