By Ayomide Otitoju
Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to driving non-oil exports with the successful hosting of the 18th edition of its Export Management Programme (EMP 18). The initiative, held recently in Lagos, provided a platform for entrepreneurs to enhance their expertise and explore global trade opportunities.
In partnership with the Lagos Business School (LBS), the five-day intensive training equipped participants with essential skills and knowledge to navigate the international market.
“At Fidelity Bank, our strategy to enhance non-oil exports is guided by the significant opportunities it presents for our customers and the national economy. This is why we offer a comprehensive suite of financial, advisory, and market-access solutions for businesses seeking to engage in international trade,” said Isaiah Ndukwe, Divisional Head of Export and Agriculture at Fidelity Bank Plc.
He noted that the bank’s market-access initiative, launched in 2016, has trained over 1,600 entrepreneurs. “Today, we completed the 18th cohort with high-caliber participants and a 150% oversubscription. This signals a promising future for Nigeria’s non-oil exports,” he added.
EMP 18 featured expert-led sessions covering key areas of global trade, including Export Finance Instruments, Export Documentation, and Market Accessibility. A highlight of the program was a visit to one of Nigeria’s busiest Export Processing Terminals (EPT) in Ikorodu, Lagos. The tour, facilitated by officials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), provided participants with first-hand insight into regulatory procedures for securing export approvals.
One of the participants, Patrick Ulayi Awu-Patricks, Managing Director/CEO of Alliance & Frontier Limited, commended Fidelity Bank’s leadership in capacity building for non-oil exports. “There are immense opportunities in non-oil exports, and entrepreneurs must identify and capitalize on them to thrive in international trade. This course has deepened my understanding of the role of data in strategic decision-making,” he stated.
Ranked among Nigeria’s top financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 8.5 million customers through its digital banking channels, 255 business offices across Nigeria, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank has received multiple awards, including Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Awards and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards. It was also recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023.
