The C.R.E.A.M Platform (Creative Reality, Entertainment, Arts & Music), a creator-focused direct-to-fan platform founded by Nigerian music icon and entrepreneur Dapo “D’Banj” Oyebanjo, has reaffirmed Sterling Bank’s role in building financial infrastructure for Nigeria’s creative economy.

The affirmation was made at an industry event themed “Co-Creating Financial Solutions for Nigeria’s Tourism, Arts and Creative Economy,” hosted by Sterling Bank at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The event brought together stakeholders from finance, tourism, arts, and the creative sector to explore how tailored financial solutions can unlock sustainable growth.

Speaking at the event, D’Banj noted that C.R.E.A.M Platform was created from lived industry experience and has spent over a decade addressing structural challenges that limit creators’ ability to monetise and scale their work. He stressed that while talent abounds, access to structured finance remains a major barrier for creatives.

A key outcome of the partnership between C.R.E.A.M Platform and Sterling Bank is the rollout of C.R.E.A.M Pay, a co-branded wallet and debit card solution that provides creators with access to banking and payment services. The platform enables creators to receive earnings from global streaming platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music, as well as MTN Caller Ring Back Tunes and Full Content Download, Africa’s direct-to-fan digital music purchase service.

According to D’Banj, the Sterling–C.R.E.A.M Pay initiative bridges a long-standing gap between creativity and finance by giving creators structure, control and recognition of their intellectual property as a bankable asset.

The event also featured the unveiling of C.R.E.A.M Platform’s decarbonisation initiative for the creative industry, developed in collaboration with Sterling Bank. The initiative provides creatives with access to electric vehicles and solar energy solutions through flexible payment plans, promoting cleaner mobility and environmentally sustainable operations.

Nigerian entertainer Slimcase (Olufemi Oladapo Oke-Oko) was unveiled as the first beneficiary of the initiative and presented with an electric vehicle valued at over $50,000. He was also announced as a C.R.E.A.M Platform ambassador, underscoring the platform’s commitment to working with industry-relevant creatives.

With Sterling Bank as its financial partner, C.R.E.A.M Platform says it remains focused on strengthening the infrastructure that supports creators across music, arts, film and digital content, while positioning for broader expansion across Nigeria and Africa.