Fidelity Bank Deepens SME Support in the North with Quarterly Business Forum in Kano

Fidelity Bank Deepens SME Support in the North with Quarterly Business Forum in Kano

By prince Benson Davies Ayibo

Photo Caption:
L-R: Executive Director, North, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Sufiyanu Garba; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, I.G. Best Company, Mr. Okereke Ignatus Mmbonye; and Divisional Head, SME Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Ugochi Osinigwe; at the Fidelity Bank Quarterly Business Forum held in Kano recently.

Fidelity Bank Rallies Support for Northern Businesses at Kano SME Forum

Fidelity Bank Plc has restated its commitment to building sustainable Small and Medium Enterprises in Northern Nigeria with the Kano edition of its Quarterly Business Forum. The event brought together entrepreneurs, business owners, industry leaders and customers to discuss practical ways to grow businesses and build resilience in a challenging economy.

Held under the theme “Positioning Northern Businesses for Growth,” the forum focused on strengthening business operations, improving access to finance, enhancing financial management, and leveraging opportunities to scale enterprises across the region.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director, North, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Sufiyanu Garba, said the North remains central to Nigeria’s economic future due to its strength in agriculture, trade, manufacturing and a large consumer base. He stated that unlocking this potential requires more than capital.

“The North occupies a critical place in Nigeria’s economic future. Fidelity Bank remains committed to helping businesses unlock this potential through financing, market access, advisory support and strategic partnerships,” Garba said.
He added that the Bank’s goal is to be a trusted growth partner for SMEs, not just a lender. “Kano and the wider North have the talent, enterprise and resources to play a leading role in Nigeria’s economic future, and Fidelity Bank is committed to supporting that growth,” he noted.

In her address, Divisional Head, SME Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Ugochi Osinigwe, described the forum as a listening platform designed to understand the real challenges facing businesses.
“This forum is more than an engagement. We are here to deepen our relationships and hear directly from entrepreneurs on how we can serve them better. Our commitment goes beyond traditional banking,” she said.

Mrs. Osinigwe also highlighted initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of doing business. These include zero-maintenance-fee accounts and free capacity-building programmes in business structuring, record keeping and financial management. According to her, many SMEs struggle due to knowledge gaps, and Fidelity Bank is investing in both physical and digital training platforms to make businesses more structured and bankable.

Participants commended the Bank for the initiative. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of I.G. Best Company, Mr. Okereke Ignatus Mmbonye, said the forum provides knowledge and connections that go beyond credit. Managing Director of Nabila Oil Mills, Mr. Sufiyanu Salisu Ahmad, also praised Fidelity Bank for creating direct engagement with the business community.

The Kano forum is part of Fidelity Bank’s wider strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s SME ecosystem through access to finance, enterprise development, financial education and inclusion. The Bank was recently recognized with the Development Bank of Nigeria, DBN, Service Ambassadors Award for the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time.

Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital channels, 255 business offices in Nigeria, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The Bank has also received multiple awards including the 2025 DBN Innovation Award for MSME Support, Best Retail and SME Bank Award, and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards.