Tier-one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment at the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) to supporting Nigerian businesses in scaling up and competing effectively on the global stage.
This bank reiterated the commitment at the 2025 FNITCC held over the weekend in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
Reflecting on FNITCC’s evolution over the past four years, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, described the initiative as a strategic expression of the bank’s vision to empower homegrown businesses for global competitiveness.
Onyeali-Ikpe said: “FNITCC is a vision that has come a long way.
“We began by equipping Nigerian exporters with foundational knowledge through capacity-building programmes in partnership with the Lagos Business School.
“From ground zero, we taught small businesses the fundamentals of export.
“Once they were ready, we created this platform to showcase them to the world.
“Our goal has always been to help shift Nigeria from an oil-dependent economy to a diversified, non-oil-driven one—and exports are key to that transformation.”
Onyeali-Ikpe in her welcome address emphasised the unique value of FNITCC in connecting buyers and sellers directly, fostering trust and confidence through face-to-face interactions.
She added: “At this event, we have a wide range of buyers—from major retailers to small-scale distributors.
“Fidelity Bank has emerged as the leading bank in non-oil exports from the agricultural sector.”
She also encouraged participants to attend sideline sessions where regulatory agencies from Nigeria and US would share insights on compliance standards and export processes.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens, welcomed FNITCC to the city and highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Atlanta and Africa.
Dickens said: “This conference presents a unique opportunity for thought leaders from Atlanta and Africa to collaborate.
“Our shared legacies—from civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela to our mutual strengths in logistics, finance, technology, and the creative industries—form a strong foundation for trade and investment.
“We are not just networking; we are building lasting networks.”
The third edition of FNITCC Atlanta featured deal rooms, panel discussions, exhibitions, and a gala dinner—all aimed at spotlighting Nigeria’s non-oil export potential and exploring pathways for expansion into the American market.
As part of efforts to deepen bilateral trade, a delegation from Lagos State also visited the Georgia State Capitol.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, declared the state open for business and investment.
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Sanwo-Olu emphasised the readiness of Lagos to forge enduring partnerships and proposed the establishment of a sister-city framework to strengthen ties between Atlanta and Lagos.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 9.1 million customers who are serviced across its 251 business offices and various digital banking channels in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation and MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.
Additionally, the Bank was recognised as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
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