Fidelity Bank Plc has emerged as the winner of the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank (DMB) category. The award recognizes the bank’s outstanding contributions to innovative financial solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
This prestigious recognition underscores Fidelity Bank’s continued commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and driving economic growth by addressing the unique challenges faced by MSMEs.
Commenting on the award, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, said:
“At Fidelity Bank, innovation is at the heart of our strategy to support MSMEs. This recognition underscores our commitment to developing scalable, inclusive, and technology-driven financial solutions that create positive outcomes for our nation's entrepreneurs. We are honored to receive the DBN award and dedicate it to our loyal customers for their continued support.”
The award was presented during the 2025 Service Ambassadors’ Awards Ceremony held in Lagos, themed “Enhancing Partnership for MSME Resilience and Growth.” In his remarks, Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director of DBN, emphasized the role of financial institutions in converting ideas into viable enterprises through targeted support and advisory services.
“You, our partners, are acknowledged and celebrated for your outreach to entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to scale. We appreciate your role in converting unbankable ideas into bankable businesses,” Okpanachi stated.
He further noted that the award aims to highlight impactful partnerships and the compelling stories of transformation they create within Nigeria’s business landscape.
Fidelity Bank’s recent efforts to support MSMEs include a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in May 2025. The partnership aims to facilitate the expansion of Nigerian MSMEs across Africa.
Additionally, the bank launched the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos — a multifunctional space featuring training halls, meeting rooms, networking lounges, and fully equipped studios for music, photography, and content production. The hub serves as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building — essential elements for strengthening Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a leading full-fledged commercial bank serving over 9.1 million customers through a robust digital infrastructure, 255 business offices across Nigeria, and its UK-based subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has earned numerous local and international accolades, including:
2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking – BusinessDay BAFI Awards
2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application – Global Business Outlook
2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider – Global Brands Magazine
Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria – Euromoney Awards for Excellence
Export Financing Bank of the Year – BusinessDay BAFI Awards
Fidelity Bank’s consistent focus on customer-centric innovation continues to position it as a leader in SME financing and digital banking transformation in Nigeria.