Fidelity Bank to Host High-Level Panel on Unlocking Export Financing at FNITCC Atlanta 2025
Fidelity Bank Plc has announced plans to host a high-level panel session at the forthcoming Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC), scheduled to take place in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, from 18 to 20 September 2025.
Themed “Financing for Scale – Unlocking Capital for Global Export Competitiveness,” the session will hold on Friday, 19 September, and will bring together top executives and thought leaders from Nigeria’s financial and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The panel line-up includes Mustafa Chike-Obi, Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc and a renowned investment banker; Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Group MD/CEO of Sunbeth Global Concept Nigeria Limited and a strong voice in agribusiness exports; Efe Ukala, Founder of ImpactHer, widely recognised for advancing women-led enterprises across Africa; and Abba Bello, Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), the country’s leading export credit agency.
Speaking ahead of the event, Isaiah Ndukwe, Divisional Head, Agric. and Exports at Fidelity Bank, stressed the importance of access to funding for Nigerian businesses seeking to compete globally.
“Unlocking the right kind of funding is like planting seeds for growth – without access to finance, even the most outstanding businesses and creative brands will struggle to scale, compete, and sustain themselves in global markets,” he said.
The FNITCC, which serves as a critical bridge for Nigerian businesses to access global opportunities, has steadily grown in reach and impact since its debut in London in 2022. That inaugural edition attracted over 100 exhibitors, 90 speakers, and more than 1,000 daily visitors, with deals worth around US$200 million sealed.
The 2023 edition in Houston further raised the bar with over 160 participating businesses, culminating in significant agreements, including a US$40 million pre-export finance facility for cocoa in partnership with AFREXIM Bank and JohnVents Industries.
This year’s edition in Atlanta, hosted in partnership with AFRICON – the premier global gathering of African changemakers and innovators – is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants. Organisers project that it will facilitate upwards of US$400 million in trade, investment, and partnership deals.
According to Ndukwe, the panel will explore practical solutions to improve Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness through accessible and scalable financing. Discussions will cover financing models for SMEs and exporters, the role of development finance institutions (DFIs) and commercial banks, de-risking strategies for export ventures, and opportunities for diaspora investment.
“These events underscore that targeted market access, paired with financing support, can launch Nigerian brands onto the global stage – delivering jobs, income, and international recognition,” he added.
Fidelity Bank encouraged interested businesses and participants to register via its official FNITCC platform, noting that the forum remains an important catalyst for trade and investment linkages between Nigeria and the global market.
With over 9.1 million customers and operations spanning 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Fidelity Bank has positioned itself as a key player in advancing Nigeria’s global trade agenda.
Its commitment has been recognised through numerous awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.
The bank was also named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by Euromoney and Export Financing Bank of the Year by BusinessDay’s BAFI Awards.
