Lagos, Nigeria – Fidelity Bank Plc has been recognised by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) with the Service Ambassadors Award for the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time, reaffirming its leadership in supporting small and medium-scale enterprises across Nigeria.
The award recognises the deposit money bank that has successfully expanded access to formal credit for previously unbanked and credit-excluded Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), reflecting Fidelity Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion and enterprise development.
Reacting to the recognition, the Divisional Head of SME Banking at Fidelity Bank, Ugochi Osinigwe, described the award as a validation of the bank’s efforts to empower entrepreneurs.
“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. We remain committed to providing funding, advisory services, capacity building, market access and digital solutions that help SMEs grow, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy,” she said.
She noted that the award would further motivate the bank to deepen its support for entrepreneurs and continue delivering practical solutions that address business growth challenges.
The latest recognition adds to Fidelity Bank’s growing list of achievements in the MSME sector. In 2025, the bank received the DBN Innovation Award for developing innovative financial products for small businesses, following its 2020 DBN Service Award for the Highest Disbursement to DBN-focused locations.
Beyond financing, Fidelity Bank has continued to invest in entrepreneurship development through initiatives such as the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos, which provides training facilities, business advisory services, networking opportunities and creative studios for entrepreneurs.
The bank also recently launched the Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, bringing together entrepreneurs, policymakers and industry experts to discuss business growth, trade, innovation and sustainability. In addition, its SME Masterclass Series equips business owners with practical skills in pricing, product development, digital marketing, export readiness and business expansion.
Fidelity Bank has also supported the Federal Government’s MSME Intervention Funds, administered by the Bank of Industry, with a strong focus on empowering qualified businesses, particularly women-owned enterprises.
To enhance export opportunities, the bank connects Nigerian businesses with international markets through the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect initiative and partners with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Lagos Business School to train exporters through the Export Management Programme.
Its collaboration with the National Credit Guarantee Company has further strengthened access to finance by reducing lending risks while promoting financial literacy and sound business management among MSMEs.
Through these initiatives, Fidelity Bank continues to deliver a comprehensive SME support framework that combines financing, business advisory, capacity building, digital innovation, market access and strategic partnerships.
Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 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 prestigious local and international recognitions, including the 2025 DBN Innovation Award, BusinessDay BAFI Awards for Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year, Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards, SME Bank of the Year by NewsDirect, and Excellence in Community Empowerment by Global Brands Magazine.
