By Ayomide Otitoju
Nigeria’s diversification agenda with its flagship initiative, the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC). The platform, which connects local exporters to international buyers and investors, has become a key driver of non-oil export growth.
The initiative aligns with federal government policies aimed at reducing dependence on crude oil, boosting foreign exchange inflows, and promoting value addition across sectors. Through FNITCC, Fidelity Bank has created a multi-sectoral platform that showcases Nigerian enterprises in agriculture, manufacturing, fashion, cosmetics, fintech, and the wider creative economy.
Launched in London in 2022, the maiden FNITCC attracted over 100 exhibitors and generated trade and investment deals worth about $250 million. The second edition, held in Houston, Texas in 2023, deepened U.S.–Nigeria trade ties and featured a landmark $40 million pre-export finance facility arranged by Afreximbank for cocoa exporter JohnVents Industries, with Fidelity Bank as local administrative agent.
The third edition of FNITCC is scheduled to hold in Atlanta, Georgia, from September 18 to 20, 2025. The choice of Atlanta—renowned for its thriving diaspora community and strong trade networks—reflects the bank’s strategy of leveraging diaspora-led ecosystems to strengthen export growth. Fidelity is partnering with Amplify Africa, organizers of AFRICON, to expand the platform’s reach.
“Since 2022 when we hosted the maiden edition, FNITCC has evolved beyond a platform for promoting Nigeria’s non-oil exports to become a veritable showcase of the immense value Nigeria has to offer the global market,” said Fidelity Bank Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.
Between the London and Houston editions, FNITCC facilitated a consolidated deal pipeline of over $500 million, underscoring the potential of structured private-sector platforms to complement government-led diversification policies.
The Atlanta edition is expected to attract over 3,000 participants, including exporters, U.S. buyers, policymakers, investors, and development finance institutions. Activities will feature B2B matchmaking sessions, diaspora investment roundtables, policy dialogues, and sector-focused workshops.
As Nigeria works to build resilient non-oil export pillars, FNITCC continues to provide a critical link between local enterprises and global markets—helping transform comparative advantages into real competitiveness.
