By Ayomide Otitoju
Fidelity Bank Plc has deepened its presence in Kebbi State with the inauguration of a new branch in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area, in a move residents describe as a significant boost to financial access for farmers, traders and households.
Chairman of Dandi Local Government, Dr. Mansur Isah-Kamba, represented by Council Secretary Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammad, said the new branch would ease the burden on residents who previously travelled to Birnin Kebbi for banking services.
“With the opening of this branch, the stress, cost and time associated with banking outside the community will be significantly reduced,” he said, commending the bank for its support of agriculture and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
The Sarkin Shikon of Kamba, Alhaji Mahmoud Zarumai-Fana, noted that the predominantly agrarian community stands to benefit from improved access to financial services. He said farmers require support such as pumping machines, fertilisers and pesticides, adding that proximity to banking services would enhance savings, access to credit and participation in agricultural intervention programmes.
Speaking at the inauguration, Regional Bank Head, North-West, Fidelity Bank, Muhammad Lawal-Ahijo, said the decision to establish the branch reflects the bank’s commitment to inclusive growth.
“Kamba is a thriving agricultural community, and this branch is an investment in its farmers, traders and households. While the infrastructure is for the bank, this branch belongs to the community, and we encourage residents to take full advantage of the services available,” he said.
A member of the Kebbi State House of Assembly representing Dandi Constituency, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman-Fana, described the development as a milestone for rural financial inclusion, urging farmers, traders and youths to leverage the opportunity to expand their businesses.
Residents also welcomed the development. Mrs. Hassana Abubakar, a petty trader, said the new branch eliminates the need to close her shop to travel for banking transactions, allowing her to focus more on growing her business.
The Kamba branch underscores Fidelity Bank’s broader strategy to advance financial inclusion and support rural economies. The bank currently serves over 10 million customers through 255 business offices across Nigeria, digital banking platforms and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
Fidelity Bank has earned multiple recognitions, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award by Global Business Outlook, and the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria award at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence.
