The 2025 Conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) has received strong backing from key financial institutions and regulators, underscoring its significance as a platform for shaping discourse on Nigeria’s digital economy.

Among the supporters of the annual event are the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Zenith Bank, First City Monument Bank, Unity Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank among other key financial institutions.

Their involvement highlights the growing recognition of digital transformation as a driving force in taxation, banking, and finance.

Now in its 35th edition, the FICAN Annual Conference is scheduled to take place on September 20, 2025 at Orchid Hotels, Dreamworld Africana Way, Lekki, Lagos. The theme for this year is: “Bracing for the Digital Economy in Nigeria: Taxation, Banking and Finance.”

Organizers say that apart from the convergence of ideas from regulatory and operations perspectives, the event will provide fresh insights and practical strategies for navigating the fast-changing digital landscape.

The conference will feature Dr Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, as Guest Speaker. Dr Adedeji is expected to shed light on how Nigeria can harness technology to strengthen tax administration and improve government revenues in the digital era.

Also billed to speak are Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of UBA, and Mr Babatunde Olofin, Managing Director of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Limited, who will deliver keynote addresses. Both executives are anticipated to share perspectives on how financial institutions can adapt their operations, products, and services to a digital-first economy while ensuring inclusion and stability.

A panel session will follow, featuring top industry players and academics who will expand on the guest speaker’s presentation and engage with sub-themes of the conference. Panelists will include representatives from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), NDIC, NAIA, AMC ON, Dangote Group, PalmPay, and the Nigeria Customs Service. Dr Yinka David-West of the Lagos Business School will also bring an academic perspective to the discussions.

According to FICAN executive led by Mr. Chima Titus Nwokoji, the goal of the conference is twofold: to build the capacity of financial journalists and to serve as an agenda-setting forum for stakeholders in the economy. By equipping journalists with deeper knowledge of emerging issues in digital finance, the association aims to enhance the quality and accuracy of reporting in the economy.

FICAN, the umbrella body for journalists and editors covering the financial sector, has more than 150 members drawn from print, broadcast, and online platforms. Over the years, its annual conference has become a vital gathering for promoting dialogue between policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and the media.

“This year’s edition is particularly significant because it coincides with our 35th anniversary,” the association noted in a statement. “As Nigeria navigates the complexities of a digital economy, this platform will provide critical ideas and solutions that can guide stakeholders in taxation, banking, and finance.”

With the active participation of government agencies, regulators, bankers, fintech leaders, academics, and the media, the 2025 FICAN Conference is expected to make far-reaching contributions to Nigeria’s digital economy roadmap.

Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has held talks with his Brazilian counterpart, Gabriel Muricca Galípolo, to strengthen economic and financial co-operation between the two countries.

The engagement, which took place during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil, formed part of a broader working visit by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) team to the Banco Central do Brasil. In addition to the Governor’s high-level discussions, the delegation also held a series of technical meetings with their Brazilian counterparts, covering monetary policy, financial stability, and regulatory co-operation.

Cardoso highlighted the importance of deepening institutional ties and knowledge-sharing between the two central banks, pointing to opportunities in payments systems, fintech, and mobile money.

“Nigeria is building a more resilient financial system to attract capital, harness diaspora remittances, and create a stable environment where trade and investment can thrive,” he said.

“Brazil’s experience in financial inclusion offers important lessons, just as Nigeria’s fintech sector has insights of its own,” Cardoso added.

He also noted that Brazil’s large Afro-Brazilian community, the biggest population of African descent outside Africa, provides not only cultural linkages but also significant potential to expand remittance flows between the two countries.

Galípolo welcomed the talks and reiterated Brazil’s interest in broadening collaboration, describing closer ties as beneficial to supporting financial stability and shared prosperity.

Cardoso was accompanied by CBN directors overseeing currency operations, financial policy regulation, and monetary policy. ‎

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African banking group, is set to host the second edition of its flagship Design & Build showcase.

The five-day event, themed “How We Build, How We Live,” will run from September 24 to 28, 2025, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos, open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

This year’s edition will feature just over 40 carefully selected exhibitors, spotlighting the very best in design, construction, and real estate. By focusing on quality over quantity, the event ensures a rich and meaningful experience for all participants.

Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs at Ecobank Nigeria, highlighted the significance of the platform: “Design & Build is more than an exhibition—it’s a celebration of visionaries shaping Nigeria’s future. By showcasing quality talent and innovation, we are connecting creators with opportunities that go beyond structures, into building purpose and better living.”

She added that the event underscores Ecobank’s pan-African mission to deepen financial inclusion, empower entrepreneurs, and connect local businesses with international markets.

Titi Fowora, Principal Interior Designer at Inu Designs and Curator of Design & Build 2025, explained her vision: “This edition is intentionally curated. It’s about presenting not just more, but the very best—people, ideas, and innovations that inspire us to rethink how we live and build. From heritage craftsmanship to future-forward solutions, Design & Build is a living canvas of transformation.”

Highlights of Design & Build 2025

• Premier showcase of Nigerian creativity in design, building, and construction
• Daily knowledge sharing sessions with leading voices in architecture, interiors, and urban planning
• Immersive kitchen installations and live cooking experiences
• Attendees can look forward to interactive sessions, networking with decision-makers and industry leaders, insights into global trends, and premium visibility for brands.

Beyond Design & Build, Ecobank Nigeria continues to invest in SMEs through initiatives such as the Adire Lagos Experience, +234 Art Fair, Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship, and Oja Oge 2025, alongside training and empowerment programs that strengthen businesses nationwide.

A renowned economist, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, the Chief Consultant/CEO, B. Adedipe & Associates Limited, says fintech and financial inclusion are not only contemporary in the Nigerian financial ecosystem, they also hold exciting promises in the transition of the Nigerian economy from jobless growth of over two decades now, to inclusive and sustainable growth that assures shared prosperity for all stakeholders.

Adedipe added that over $2 billion were invested in fintech and startups by over 50 angel investors and venture capitalists in 2024.

Delivering the keynote paper at the 2^nd Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2025 in Lagos, Adedipe described financial inclusion as a critical driver of economic growth and poverty alleviation.

“This makes financial inclusion critical to developing economies, especially those like Nigeria that have been experiencing jobless growth in the last 20 years thereabout and also deep in multi-dimensional poverty. The real challenge resides at the bottom of the pyramid where there is not only poor access to finance but also lack of the basic elements that define good quality of life.”

In its 2023 survey, EFInA reported 64% financial inclusion in Nigeria, driven by marginal growth in the banked population and major gains in non-bank formal adoption.

He listed the opportunities of both fintech and financial inclusion in Nigeria to include youthful and tech savvy population, increasing demand for financial services, unbanked and under-served population, significant informal economy estimated at 54% to 58% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and necessity-based entrepreneurship, which is a rampant phenomenon in fragile economies where informal economic activities and low income are pervasive.

Adedipe said the challenges facing the Nigerian economy in terms of fintech and financial inclusion include the ability and capacity of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in promoting and regulating the two concepts effectively.

He listed past and current CBN interventions as the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, National FinTech Strategy, Strategy for Leveraging Agent Networks to Drive Women’s Financial Inclusion and Payment System Vision 2025.

Other key pitfalls to avoid are measuring, identifying and filling gaps, consumer protection and awareness, cost and affordability, technology and infrastructure.

The economist added that both regulators and operators also face significant risks – market, structural, strategic, cybersecurity and operational, as well cultural barriers and gender bias, and credit assessment and KYC.

“If Nigeria (or any developing country for that matter) will maximally benefit from financial inclusion and the deep role that fintech plays in that process, there must be a balance of interests. That balance will be effective only if all stakeholders collaborate (no one seeking to take advantage of the other) and maintain tight focus on the over-arching purpose of inclusive growth and shared prosperity.”

He said for Nigeria to have an inclusive financial system, policies, regulations, products, services, technology and infrastructure must be inclusive by design.

Other factors include integrated system, safe and efficient digital payment/finance ecosystem,

economically sustainable and commercially viable market infrastructure, robust data information system and effective regulation.

According to Remita “as Nigeria continues to embrace digital transformation and foster innovation in the financial sector, the role of fintech in empowering SMEs will only grow in significance. With a young and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, the demand for fintech solutions tailored for SMEs is expected to soar, driving further innovation and competition in the market.”

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has reiterated the Bank’s commitment to establishing macroeconomic stability, fortifying the banking sector, and establishing Nigeria as a top investment destination.

Cardoso stated during a fireside chat moderated by Andreas Voss, Chief Country Representative, Deutsche Bank Nigeria, at the European Business Chamber (Eurocham Nigeria) C-Level Forum in Lagos on Saturday, September 6, 2025, that the recapitalisation exercise for banks is “making good progress” and will result in even stronger institutions that can withstand shocks and finance growth.

Key drivers of renewed investor confidence were the CBN’s reforms and the stabilisation of the naira, as extolled by members of the EU Chambers.
Cardoso observed that headline inflation is currently elevated; however, it is decreasing as a consequence of collective efforts. It is anticipated that the advantages of the Bank’s tightening posture will persist.

“We will protect the stability that has been re-established in the financial system with the utmost zeal,” he stated. “Our primary objective is to maintain that stability while simultaneously addressing inflation and ensuring that the financial system is sufficiently resilient to facilitate corporate lending and investment.”
When asked about the impact of high lending rates in Nigeria on investment, the Governor acknowledged the concern but linked it to his previous statement regarding inflation and stability.

He stated that there is a substantial potential for interest rates to decrease in the future as inflation continues to decline and as markets become more efficient in allocating capital. “That is the environment in which stronger corporate lending and higher levels of investment will naturally follow,” he continued.
Cardoso observed that the CBN’s recapitalisation directive, which mandates that banks increase their minimum capital, is specifically intended to fortify the financial system and guarantee that it is capable of supporting a wider range of economic activities.

He also emphasised the importance of technology-driven solutions in order to deepen access and address poverty, as well as efforts to expand financial inclusion and fortify the fintech ecosystem.

It is crucial to note that he identified a positive development in the form of increased collaboration with the fiscal sector, which includes the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Budget Office. This collaboration will enable the country to maintain reforms and achieve long-term stability.

Regarding Nigeria’s position in the global economy, he stated: “The urgency of addressing our own affairs is underscored by the ongoing geopolitical changes. Nigeria is a market that is both large and appealing in its own right, and it is also situated at the entrance to the broader continent and West Africa. This underscores the importance of maintaining stability at home.”
In his introductory remarks, Eurocham President Yann Gilbert characterised the chamber as a conduit that links European businesses with Nigerian policymakers. He stated, “Our members are profoundly dedicated to this nation.” We aspire to establish enduring partnerships, generate employment opportunities, and invest. The purpose of this forum is to foster engagement, dialogue, and solutions that enhance confidence and unleash opportunities between Nigeria and Europe.”

Number one Best Workplace in Banking in Nigeria and recognised as Africa’s most agile company, Sterling Bank Limited celebrated the first anniversary of SeaBaas, the revolutionary core banking system designed and built in Africa.

In just twelve months since its go-live, SeaBaas has processed over 2 billion transactions, reduced processing times by about 60%, and driven a 66% surge in customer adoption, setting new benchmarks for scale, efficiency, and reliability in financial technology.

Since launch, the platform has powered Sterling’s digital ecosystem, OneBank, SterlingPro, Switch, Specta, and more, while enabling fintech integrations, agent banking networks, and third-party solutions. With zero downtime across 365 days of service, SeaBaas has proven its resilience as one of the most dependable

financial platforms on the continent.

“SeaBaas, to us, represents a proof of possibility” said Abubakar Suleiman, Chief Executive, Sterling Bank. “It shows that Africa can build world-class technology, solve complex problems locally, and scale globally. This milestone is a collective victory for every Sterling colleague, our partners, and our customers who believed in the vision.”

Designed by Sterling Bank and developed in collaboration with Peerless Software, KPMG, Bazara Technologies, Revent Technologies, and AppQuest Solutions, alongside Sterling’s in-house engineering talent, SeaBaas has become a model of courage, ingenuity, and execution excellence in Nigeria.

Beyond technology, it has unlocked significant cost savings, freed resources for reinvestment, and accelerated financial inclusion across Nigeria’s economy.

Looking forward, Sterling intends to build on this momentum by expanding SeaBaas capabilities to tackle bold challenges, reimagine financial systems, and showcase the potential of African innovation on a global stage.

“SeaBaas reminds us that when we dare to dream boldly and build courageously, there is no limit to what we can achieve in Africa,” added Suleiman. “This is only the beginning.”

About Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank Limited is a full-service national commercial bank in Nigeria and a member of Sterling Financial Holdings Company. With a heritage of more than 60 years, the bank has evolved from Nigeria’s pre-eminent investment banking institution to a trusted provider of retail, commercial, and corporate banking services.

Sterling is a forward-thinking financial institution committed to transforming lives through innovative solutions, exceptional service, unwavering integrity, and a steadfast focus on its HEART strategy, which centers on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and

Transportation. As pioneers in digital banking and financial inclusion, Sterling continues to lead by example, showing how purpose-driven leadership can deliver transformative outcomes for individuals, businesses, and society at large.

Guided by a culture of innovation and a passion for excellence, Sterling Bank remains dedicated to redefining the banking experience for millions of customers across Nigeria.

Nigeria’s diversification drive has gathered momentum in recent years as government initiatives push to reduce dependence on crude oil and strengthen non-oil sectors as engines of growth.

From the Central Bank of Nigeria’s RT200 programme to incentives offered by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the country has implemented policies designed to encourage exporters, boost foreign exchange inflows, and integrate local enterprises into global value chains.

Complementing these efforts, Fidelity Bank Plc has steadily positioned itself as one of the private-sector leaders advancing the country’s non-oil export agenda.

Through its flagship initiative—the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC), the bank has built a global platform that links Nigerian exporters with international buyers, diaspora markets, and strategic investors.

For a country where oil revenues remain vulnerable to global shocks, FNITCC is more than a corporate innovation. It is a deliberate tool to help Nigeria unlock new streams of foreign exchange, strengthen small businesses, and showcase the creativity and resilience of its people to the world.

Beyond Commodities: A Broader Vision

The design of FNITCC reflects Fidelity’s conviction that Nigeria’s future global competitiveness lies not only in raw commodities but also in value-added goods and services. The expo has created space for agriculture and consumer-packaged goods, but equally for sectors such as fashion, cosmetics, fintech, and the wider creative economy.

The federal government has also increasingly emphasized the need for value addition rather than the mere export of raw commodities. A recent policy directive on shea butter, for instance, underscores this shift by encouraging local processors to refine and package the product before it leaves Nigeria.

The move aligns with broader industrialisation and job-creation objectives, while ensuring that the country captures more value across the production chain—a goal that platforms like FNITCC are now helping to actualize by connecting these upgraded products to international markets.

FNITCC Events are Immersive and Deliberately Multi-sectoral

They combine product exhibitions, breakout sessions, diaspora investment panels, curated workshops, art displays, and even theatrical and fashion performances.

The aim is clear: to connect the breadth of Nigerian enterprise to global markets, while ensuring that exporters are able to meet international standards and access the finance required to scale.

In a statement announcing this year’s FNITCC, Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said: “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.” 

London to Houston to Atlanta: Showcasing Nigeria on the Global Stage

The FNITCC journey began in London in November 2022. Hosted at the Novotel London West, the inaugural event drew more than 100 exhibitors and 90 speakers, attracting over 1,000 daily attendees. It unlocked trade and investment deals worth about $250 million, validating the proposition that Nigerian businesses could compete abroad if given the right exposure and institutional support.

A year later, the platform moved to Houston, Texas a city known for its energy base but also home to one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in the United States. FNITCC Houston, held in October 2023, attracted over 160 Nigerian and U.S.-based businesses across fintech, commodities, fashion, agriculture, and creative industries. The highlight was a landmark $40 million pre-export finance facility in favour of JohnVents Industries, one of Nigeria’s fast-rising cocoa exporters. The facility, arranged by Afreximbank with Fidelity Bank as the local administrative agent, demonstrated how trade promotion could be matched with access to finance to deliver real outcomes for exporters.

This month, September 18-20, 2025, FNITCC is heading to Atlanta, Georgia. The choice is deliberate: Atlanta has become a hub for Black entrepreneurship, cultural exchange, and diaspora investment in the United States. Its large Nigerian and African diaspora population provides a ready market for ethnic and value-added products, while its robust chambers of commerce and international trade networks make it an attractive gateway for exporters. Fidelity is also partnering with Amplify Africa, the organizers of AFRICON, one of the largest African diaspora business and culture summits in the U.S., to amplify the reach of this edition.

By situating FNITCC in Atlanta, Fidelity Bank is tapping into a dynamic U.S. market and aligning with diaspora-led networks that can act as long-term anchors for trade and investment flows.

Onyeali-Ikpe added: “As part of our commitment to developing platforms that promote economic growth, creativity, and sustainable trade both within Nigeria and internationally, we are pleased to announce the third edition of FNITCC. Since 2022, when we hosted the inaugural edition, the FNITCC expo has been at the heart of driving global market access for local businesses, and I am delighted that this year we will be in the city of Atlanta, USA.”

Consolidating Success and Expanding Scope

Between the London and Houston editions, FNITCC generated a consolidated deal pipeline of over $500 million. For Nigeria, where non-oil exports are still under $5 billion annually, this is a significant achievement. It demonstrates the potential of structured, private-sector-led platforms to complement government diversification policies with measurable outcomes.

FNITCC Atlanta is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants—including exporters, U.S. buyers, policymakers, investors, multinational corporations, and development finance institutions. Programming highlights include B2B matchmaking sessions, policy dialogues, diaspora investment roundtables, and sector-specific workshops. Strategic sectors in focus will include agriculture, consumer goods, energy transition minerals, fashion, beauty, and creative services.

By positioning exporters side-by-side with financiers, regulators, and global buyers, FNITCC provides the missing ecosystem Nigerian businesses often lack when venturing into foreign markets.

Nigeria’s FX Outlook and the Case for Diversification

The timing of Fidelity’s intervention could not be more strategic. The naira has shown greater stability in recent months, supported by a mix of policy reforms and improving inflows, helping to restore investor confidence in the broader economy. With global attention once again turning to Nigeria’s vast potential, this is an opportune moment to deepen non-oil export growth.

The long-term case remains clear: as the world transitions away from fossil fuels, Nigeria cannot afford to depend solely on crude oil revenues. Building new, resilient export pillars is essential to sustaining growth, creating jobs, and securing foreign exchange inflows that are less vulnerable to commodity price swings.

FNITCC sits at the heart of this shift. By showcasing value-added goods, creating structured access to global markets, and linking exporters to international buyers, the platform helps convert Nigeria’s comparative advantages into tangible competitiveness. In doing so, it strengthens the broader diversification drive while reinforcing the growing sense of economic optimism.

A Shared Path to Diversification

Ultimately, what makes FNITCC unique is its ability to bring together policy, finance, and culture under a single umbrella. It complements government-led initiatives and continental frameworks like AfCFTA by giving exporters practical exposure to international markets. It also addresses the financing gap through partnerships with institutions such as Afreximbank, ensuring that deals struck at the expos are not just ceremonial but backed by capital. And by spotlighting Nigeria’s creative and service industries, fashion, fintech, music, and art, FNITCC underscores the country’s growing soft power as a source of foreign exchange in its own right.

In this way, FNITCC is more than an exhibition; it is a platform for national transformation. It embodies the collaboration between government policy and private initiative, while providing exporters the tools to compete on a global stage.

From London to Houston and now Atlanta, it has grown into an institution that is helping Nigeria move closer to the long-held dream of economic diversification, reinforcing optimism that the non-oil sector can become the bedrock of a more resilient, export-led economy.