Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs), pledging to remain a strategic partner to businesses beyond the provision of traditional banking services and financing.
The bank made the commitment during its SME Quarterly Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where entrepreneurs, industry experts and business owners gathered to discuss strategies for scaling trade and distribution businesses and achieving sustainable growth.
Speaking at the forum, themed “Scaling Trade and Distribution of Businesses for Sustainable Growth,” the Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank, Pamela Shodipo, said the institution remains focused on helping Nigerian businesses become more competitive and resilient.
According to her, Fidelity Bank seeks to play a broader role in the development of enterprises by providing support that extends beyond funding.
“Our objective is clear: to help Nigerian enterprises grow, become more competitive and create sustainable value in their communities and the wider economy. We want to be more than a provider of funds; we want to be your trusted partner in growth,” she said.
Shodipo highlighted the strategic importance of Port Harcourt to Nigeria’s economy, describing the city as a major commercial centre and gateway to the South-South region, with significant influence across trade, logistics, marine services, manufacturing, agriculture and the energy sector.
She noted that businesses in the city have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in responding to market demands and sustaining commercial activities.
The Fidelity Bank executive also stressed the critical role of trade and distribution businesses in driving economic activity, saying they serve as vital links between producers and consumers while supporting supply chains, creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods.
She added that the significance of the sector is particularly evident in the South-South region, given its strong connections to ports, industrial operations, wholesale trade and regional distribution networks.
To further support business growth, Shodipo highlighted several initiatives introduced by the bank, including the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC), which links local businesses to international markets in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
She also referenced the bank’s collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Lagos Business School through the Export Management Programme, as well as the Fidelity SME Hub, which provides advisory and business support services.
Also speaking at the event, the Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises at Fidelity Bank, Ugochi Osinigwe, said the forum was designed to equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and networking opportunities capable of accelerating business growth.
She described SMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and said Fidelity Bank remains deliberate in creating platforms that expose business owners to innovation, opportunities and resources needed to build scalable and resilient enterprises.
“SMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, and at Fidelity Bank, we are deliberate about creating platforms that expose entrepreneurs to knowledge, innovation and opportunities that help them build resilient and scalable businesses,” she said.
Osinigwe encouraged participants to take advantage of the bank’s SME-focused initiatives, advisory services and digital solutions to strengthen their operations and position their businesses for long-term success.
Participants at the forum commended Fidelity Bank for addressing key business challenges and providing practical solutions.
One participant, Andy Macozi, described the event as timely and informative, noting that the discussions tackled issues many entrepreneurs face daily. He urged the bank to continue organising similar knowledge-sharing sessions.
Another participant, Chief Uche Aham, an oil and marine services entrepreneur, praised the forum for creating an avenue for business owners to exchange ideas and gain valuable insights. He also suggested that participants be provided with comprehensive reference materials from the sessions to aid implementation.
The SME Quarterly Business Forum is one of Fidelity Bank’s initiatives aimed at empowering entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and promoting sustainable economic development across Nigeria.
Fidelity Bank serves more than 10 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria Innovation Award for MSME Support, the Best Retail and SME Bank Award, and the Best Bank for Export and Trade Finance award at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards, among others.
Comment here