Monday, September 8, 2025
24.1 C
Lagos

Fidelity Bank Reaffirms Support for Digital Innovation in Africa

L – R: Chief Innovation Officer, Africa Technology Expo, Nnaemeka Clinton; Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology in Lagos State, Olatubosun Alake; Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Kevin Ugwuoke; and Vice President, Ventures and Ecosystem, Africa Technology Expo, Cynthia Chisom; at the 2024 Africa Technology Expo (ATE 2024) which took place in Lagos.

Leading financial institution -Fidelity Bank Plc -has restated its devotion to support the development of the African technology sector to actualize its potentials. This was revealed at the Africa Technology Expo (ATE 2024) which took place recently.

Held in Lagos, the well-attended event provided an avenue for African businesses to display their creativity and gain opportunities in the competitive tech industry.

In her keynote speech at the event, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, stated that Fidelity Bank is rapidly implementing a digital-based retail-banking strategy by creating an SME business hub to facilitate networking and collaboration among startups, content creators and other digital entrepreneurs.

“At Fidelity Bank, we are convinced that Africa can be the hub of emerging technology and we encourage stakeholders to close ranks to tackle the two main constraints to start-ups tech growth, namely: lack of investment -an internal issue, and inadequate support -an external issue.

“This informs our decision to partner with SPARK Africa and other stakeholders to host the African Technology Expo -a platform for start-ups and participants to meet with investors, growth partners and network amongst leaders in the industry. We are convinced that the 2024 edition can kickstart Africa’s Digital transformation and spur growth across communities and economies. Fidelity Bank seeks to water the seeds for this Digital transformation and we are delighted to host tech start-ups aligned with this purpose”, explained Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe, who was represented by the bank’s Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Kevin Ugwuoke.

Speaking earlier at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology in Lagos State, Olatubosun Alake, highlighted the State’s intervention in the technology and innovation industries while acknowledging the role of tech startups in driving economic growth and social development.

On his part, the Chief Innovation Officer of the Africa Technology Expo, Nnaemeka Clinton, pointed to the commendable growth and innovation within the African tech industry in his welcome address, noting that, “From the wider tech landscape of the African continent to the busy hubs of Accra and Lagos, we have witnessed relentless innovation that is shaping our future.”

He acknowledged the challenges faced by startups, including competition and the need for more support, but stressed the resilience and potential of African tech entrepreneurs.

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 8.3 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank has won multiple local and international awards including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards; Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023; and Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Nigeria, Brazil Central Banks Deepen Economic, Financial Co-operation

Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has held talks...

Ecobank Nigeria to Host Second Edition of Design & Build, Showcasing Premier Innovators in Design, Construction

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African banking...

Expert: Fintech, Financial Inclusion Critical for Sustainable Growth of Nigerian Economy

A renowned economist, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, the Chief Consultant/CEO,...

Sterling Bank Marks One Year of Africa’s Groundbreaking Core Banking System

Number one Best Workplace in Banking in Nigeria and...

Topics

NCRIB: ‘80% of Policyholders Complaining about Insurance Didn’t Patronise Brokers’

  L-R: Mr. Atanda Olatokunbo, Controller, Internal Audit & Compliance,...

Allianz to Become Worldwide Olympic Insurance Partner

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Allianz has announced...

Siemens, Anglo American Partner on Digital Skills Development in Africa

Currently, one of the most debated topics influencing innovation...

NCC Chief, Danbatta, to keynote Business Journal Lecture on Digital Disruption

Professor Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice- Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission...

NCDMB Chief Pledges Continued Support for Indigenous Companies, Commends Lee Engineering for Capabilities Attained

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board...

NNPC/First E&P JV Empowers NGOs with N53.4m

 As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives,...

The Future of Work in Nigeria: GE Report

General Electric Nigeria yesterday released a whitepaper titled "The Future...

Ethics and Practice in Media Monitoring and Intelligence

  By: Philip Odiakose Media monitoring and intelligence have become increasingly important...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img