Fidelity Bank Plc has strengthened its position as one of Nigeria’s leading supporters of small and medium-scale enterprises, SMEs, emerging as the winner of the Development Bank of Nigeria, DBN Service Ambassadors Award for the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time.
The award recognises the Deposit Money Bank that has successfully brought previously unbanked or credit-excluded Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into the formal financial system, helping them access credit facilities for business growth.
The recognition underscores Fidelity Bank’s commitment to promoting financial inclusion, expanding access to funding, and supporting entrepreneurship across Nigeria.
Speaking on the achievement, Fidelity Bank’s Divisional Head of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Banking, Ugochi Osinigwe, expressed gratitude to DBN and reiterated the bank’s dedication to empowering small businesses.
“We sincerely thank the Development Bank of Nigeria for this recognition, which affirms the impact of our work in expanding access to finance for MSMEs, especially businesses accessing formal credit for the first time,” she said.
“At Fidelity Bank, we remain devoted to supporting SMEs with the right mix of funding, advisory services, capacity building, market access and digital solutions that enable them to grow, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the economy.”
Osinigwe noted that the award would serve as motivation for the bank to deepen its interventions in the SME sector and continue developing practical solutions that help entrepreneurs overcome growth challenges.
The latest honour adds to Fidelity Bank’s growing list of recognitions from DBN. In 2025, the bank received the DBN Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank category for its contribution to developing innovative financial products and services tailored to MSMEs.
It had earlier won the 2020 DBN Service Award for Highest Disbursement to DBN-Focused Locations, reflecting its role in facilitating affordable financing for small businesses.
Beyond lending, Fidelity Bank has invested significantly in initiatives aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.
Among such initiatives is the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos, a dedicated facility providing entrepreneurs with access to training halls, networking spaces, meeting rooms, business advisory services, and creative studios for content development.
The bank also recently launched the Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, a platform designed to connect business owners, policymakers, industry experts and investors for discussions on business growth, innovation, trade and sustainability. The maiden edition, held in Port Harcourt, focused on scaling trade and distribution businesses for long-term growth.
Additionally, Fidelity Bank continues to empower entrepreneurs through its SME Masterclass Series, which offers practical training in pricing strategies, product development, online sales, business visibility and international market readiness.
The bank has also played a significant role in disbursing the Federal Government’s MSME Intervention Funds administered by the Bank of Industry, with particular emphasis on supporting qualified businesses and women-owned enterprises.
Through its extensive branch network, digital banking platforms and dedicated relationship managers, Fidelity Bank has continued to provide financial and advisory support to businesses across both urban and rural communities.
Its SME support strategy also extends to export development. Through the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect, the bank facilitates access to international markets, including the United Kingdom and the United States, while partnering with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Lagos Business School on the Export Management Programme to equip entrepreneurs with the skills required to compete globally.
Furthermore, the bank’s partnership with the National Credit Guarantee Company has helped reduce lending risks, improve access to finance and provide financial literacy and business management training for MSME beneficiaries.
Industry observers say the award reflects Fidelity Bank’s multi-pronged approach to SME development, which combines financing, capacity building, advisory services, digital innovation, market access and strategic partnerships to support businesses at various stages of growth.
The recognition comes at a time when policymakers and financial institutions are increasingly focusing on MSMEs as critical drivers of job creation, innovation and economic diversification in Nigeria.
