Photo Caption: L-R: Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Ugochi Osinigwe; Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo; and Representative of the President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and Chairman of SMEs and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Trade Group, Mr. Jack Daboikiabo, at the Fidelity Bank SME Quarterly Business Forum held in Port Harcourt recently.
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs), positioning itself as a strategic partner dedicated to helping businesses scale beyond access to finance.
The pledge was made during the bank’s SME Quarterly Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where industry leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners gathered to explore practical strategies for business expansion and long-term growth.
Speaking at the event, themed “Scaling Trade and Distribution of Businesses for Sustainable Growth,” the Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, emphasized the bank’s resolve to empower Nigerian enterprises through capacity building, market access and strategic partnerships.
“Our objective is clear: to help Nigerian enterprises grow, become more competitive and create sustainable value in their communities and the wider economy. We want to be more than a provider of funds; we want to be your trusted partner in growth,” she stated.
Highlighting the significance of Port Harcourt as a commercial powerhouse, Shodipo described the city as a vital gateway to economic activities in the South-South region, with strong influence across trade, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, marine services and the energy sector.
According to her, businesses operating in the city have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in responding to market demands and driving commerce across the region.
She noted that trade and distribution enterprises remain critical drivers of economic development, connecting producers to consumers, strengthening supply chains, creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods.
“Trade and distribution businesses play a critical role in the Nigerian economy. In the South-South region, their importance is even greater because of the area’s strategic links to ports, industrial activities, wholesale trade and regional distribution networks,” she said.
Shodipo also highlighted several initiatives introduced by Fidelity Bank to support entrepreneurs, including the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC), which links Nigerian businesses to international markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States. She further referenced the bank’s collaborations with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Lagos Business School through the Export Management Programme, as well as the Fidelity SME Hub, which provides advisory and business support services.
Also speaking, the Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Ugochi Osinigwe, said the forum was designed to equip entrepreneurs with practical insights and valuable networking opportunities capable of accelerating business growth.
“SMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, and at Fidelity Bank, we are deliberate about creating platforms that expose entrepreneurs to knowledge, innovation and opportunities that help them build resilient and scalable businesses,” she said.
Osinigwe encouraged participants to take advantage of the bank’s SME-focused initiatives, advisory services and digital solutions to strengthen their operations and position their businesses for sustained success.
Participants at the forum commended Fidelity Bank for providing a platform that addresses real business challenges while offering practical and actionable solutions.
One of the attendees, Mr. Andy Macozi, described the forum as timely and impactful, noting that the discussions tackled issues commonly faced by entrepreneurs and would benefit even more business owners if expanded through regular engagements.
Similarly, Chief Uche Aham, an entrepreneur in the oil and marine services sector, praised the initiative for fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration among business leaders, while recommending the provision of detailed post-event materials to aid implementation of lessons learned.
The SME Quarterly Business Forum is one of Fidelity Bank’s flagship initiatives aimed at empowering entrepreneurs, encouraging innovation and promoting sustainable economic growth across Nigeria.
Fidelity Bank Plc serves more than 10 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices nationwide and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has earned numerous local and international recognitions, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award for MSME Support, the Best Retail and SME Bank Award by Independent Newspapers, and the Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance award at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, among several other industry accolades.