News Highlights
- Fidelity Bank won the DBN Award for expanding first-time credit access to MSMEs.
- The bank continues to support SMEs through financing, capacity building and market access initiatives.
Fidelity Bank Plc has further consolidated its position as a leading financier of Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) after clinching the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Service Ambassadors Award for recording the highest impact in providing first-time access to credit for small businesses across the country.
The prestigious award recognises the Deposit Money Bank that has successfully onboarded previously unbanked or credit-excluded Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across Nigeria, underscoring Fidelity Bank’s enduring commitment to financial inclusion, improved access to finance and sustainable enterprise development.
The recognition marks yet another milestone in the bank’s sustained efforts to bridge financing gaps for entrepreneurs, particularly those accessing formal credit facilities for the first time.
Reacting to the award, Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Ugochi Osinigwe, expressed gratitude to DBN for the honour and reiterated the bank’s dedication to supporting the growth of small businesses nationwide.
“We sincerely thank the Development Bank of Nigeria for this recognition, which affirms the impact of our work in expanding access to finance for MSMEs, especially businesses accessing formal credit for the first time. At Fidelity Bank, we remain devoted to supporting SMEs with the right mix of funding, advisory services, capacity building, market access and digital solutions that enable them to grow, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” Osinigwe said.
She added that the award would further motivate the bank to deepen its interventions in the SME sector and continue delivering practical solutions that help entrepreneurs overcome growth constraints.
The latest accolade builds on Fidelity Bank’s long-standing partnership with DBN and its consistent support for Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem. In 2025, the bank won the DBN Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank category for its outstanding role in developing and delivering innovative financial products and services tailored to MSMEs.
Earlier, the bank received the 2020 DBN Service Award for the Highest Disbursement to DBN-focused locations, highlighting its contribution to facilitating affordable funding for small and medium-scale businesses across targeted markets.
Beyond lending, Fidelity Bank has continued to roll out initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity and competitiveness of entrepreneurs. One such initiative is the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos, a dedicated facility that provides entrepreneurs with access to training halls, meeting rooms, networking spaces, business advisory services and creative studios for content production.
The bank also recently launched the Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, a strategic engagement platform that brings together SME founders, business leaders, policymakers and industry experts to discuss business growth, trade, innovation and sustainability. The maiden edition, held in Port Harcourt, focused on scaling trade and distribution businesses for sustainable growth while offering participants valuable insights, networking opportunities and advisory support.
In addition, Fidelity Bank continues to empower entrepreneurs through its SME Masterclass Series, which offers practical training in critical business areas such as pricing, product quality, online sales, business visibility and international expansion readiness.
The bank has equally played a significant role in the disbursement of the Federal Government of Nigeria MSME Intervention Funds administered by the Bank of Industry, with particular emphasis on supporting qualified enterprises and women-owned businesses. Leveraging its extensive branch network, digital banking platforms and experienced relationship managers, Fidelity Bank continues to provide structured support to entrepreneurs in both urban and rural communities.
Its SME support framework also extends to export development and market access initiatives. Through the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect, the bank links Nigerian businesses with opportunities in international markets, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
In partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Lagos Business School, Fidelity Bank also delivers the Export Management Programme, designed to equip entrepreneurs and aspiring exporters with the skills, knowledge and networks needed to compete globally.
Furthermore, the bank’s collaboration with the National Credit Guarantee Company is helping to reduce lending risks and expand access to finance for MSMEs, while also providing financial literacy and business management training to ensure beneficiaries build sustainable enterprises.
Through these wide-ranging interventions, Fidelity Bank continues to demonstrate a holistic approach to SME development by combining finance, advisory support, capacity building, digital enablement, market access and strategic partnerships to nurture businesses at every stage of growth.
