L... Reaffirms Support for Women Entrepreneurs
Tier-one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has commenced the disbursement of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) MSME Intervention Funds, administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), to qualified small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The initiative strategically prioritizes women-owned businesses across the country.
The FGN MSME Intervention Fund is designed to provide accessible financing to micro, small, and medium enterprises across Nigeria’s 36 states, promoting inclusive economic growth and enterprise development.
This phase of disbursement reinforces Fidelity Bank’s longstanding commitment to the SME sector and its belief in the transformative role of women entrepreneurs in driving innovation, job creation, and sustainable national development.
Speaking on the development, Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, said: “As a bank deeply committed to the growth of SMEs, we are proud to partner with the Federal Government and the Bank of Industry on this critical intervention. For this phase, we are placing women at the forefront because we recognize their resilience, innovation, and pivotal contributions to wealth creation and employment generation in Nigeria.”
To ensure a seamless process, Fidelity Bank has deployed a robust disbursement structure leveraging its nationwide branch network, digital platforms, and experienced relationship managers. This will enable the bank to effectively reach entrepreneurs across both urban and rural communities.
The Bank’s role in implementing the FGN MSME Intervention Fund complements its broader SME support programmes. Recently, at its Gbagada SME Hub, the Bank launched the Fidelity SME Empowerment Programme (FSEP), providing 100 growth-ready SMEs with ERPRev-enabled POS systems, business management software, inventory support, and capacity-building masterclasses—all at no cost.
Earlier in May 2025, Fidelity Bank also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SMEDAN (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria) to deliver SME-friendly financing, training, and market access opportunities.
“Our vision goes beyond financing. We are building an ecosystem of support for SMEs by offering capacity-building programmes, mentorship opportunities, and market access. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, will benefit from a larger share of the fund as part of our broader strategy to promote gender inclusion,” Ede added.
Through this initiative, Fidelity Bank aims to deepen its impact on Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem by expanding access to affordable financing and strengthening business capacity — ultimately fostering sustainable growth, job creation, and economic resilience nationwide.
Ranked among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 9.1 million customers through digital platforms, 255 business offices, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank has earned several local and international awards, including:
- 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award (BusinessDay BAFI Awards)
- Most Innovative Mobile Banking App (Global Business Outlook Awards)
- 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)