Economy
Fidelity Bank’s “HerFidelity” Initiative Empowering Creating Wealth, Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
By Kehinde Ibrahim
Women entrepreneurs are pivotal drivers of economic development, job creation, and innovation, bringing distinctive perspectives that foster collaboration and community impact. Their contributions extend beyond economic growth to promote social equity and gender inclusion.
However, research shows a persistent gender gap in financial opportunities, and women often face limited access to capital and inadequate mentorship that can hinder business growth and development.
In addressing these challenges through inclusive policies, Fidelity Bank is revolutionizing the landscape for Nigerian women by offering a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to foster economic empowerment, business growth, and personal well-being.
Tagged HerFidelity, this is Fidelity Bank’s flagship initiative dedicated to empowering women through inclusive finance, capacity building, and mentorship.
It provides women with access to tailored financial solutions, business support, and networking opportunities, enabling them to grow their enterprises, advance their careers, and achieve financial independence.
By bridging the gender finance gap and championing women-led innovation, HerFidelity reinforces Fidelity Bank’s commitment to driving inclusive growth and fostering a more equitable economy.
Building a Community for Women to Thrive
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, OON, recently encouraged women professionals to embrace continuous learning, courage, and collaboration as key habits for achieving long-term career success and breaking through professional barriers.
She gave the charge during a Women’s Roundtable hosted by the bank at the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos. Themed “Mentorship with Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe”, the event drew female professionals from various sectors and was held under the Recognition and Networking arm of the bank’s HerFidelity Proposition—a flagship initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs and professionals across Nigeria.
Explaining the vision behind HerFidelity, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe noted that the initiative was born out of a strong need to provide women with holistic support beyond access to finance.
“In my engagements with women across different industries, I’ve seen first-hand that while talent and ambition abound, many still lack access to capital, skills development, health support, and networks,” she said.
“HerFidelity was created to bridge that gap by focusing on four key pillars: access to capital, capacity building, wellness for work-life balance, and entrepreneurship support. It’s one of the initiatives I’m most proud of, because when women thrive, communities prosper and economies flourish.”
The interactive mentorship session, held in a Q&A format, offered participants an opportunity to learn directly from the trailblazing CEO, who shared personal experiences and career insights.
Advising young women aspiring to leadership, she said: “Believe in yourself, be ready to work hard, and never shy away from taking smart risks. Seek out mentors, invest in meaningful relationships, and above all, collaborate—because no one truly succeeds alone.”
The event also featured fun competitions and giveaways, with attendees winning exciting gifts. Undoubtedly, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s session left participants inspired, reinforcing Fidelity Bank’s position as a champion for gender empowerment and a leading supporter of women’s advancement in business and leadership.
In a related development, under the umbrella of HerFidelity, a Creative Bootcamp for Women was held as a 3-day intensive masterclass designed to equip women with the creative and digital skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.
Hosted at the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada from August 19-21, 2025, the bootcamp brought together aspiring and established women entrepreneurs, freelancers, and brand builders eager to elevate their businesses. Through hands-on sessions in Brand Design & Visual Identity and Brand Strategy & Copywriting, participants learned to craft compelling brand stories using tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, and Figma.
By creating spaces like this—where women build marketable skills, experience the power of connecting with like minds, and gain confidence, HerFidelity moved beyond traditional banking to serve as a true partner in unlocking women’s potential for economic growth.
Driving Women-Led Innovation through FundHer
To further demonstrate its commitment to accelerating women-led businesses, Fidelity Bank launched FundHer, a dedicated financing solution under the HerFidelity umbrella. FundHer is designed to bridge the persistent funding gap faced by women entrepreneurs by providing access to affordable credit of up to N100 million, growth capital, and tailored advisory support.
The loan offerings available under FundHer include Working Capital Loan, Asset Financing Loan and Business Expansion Loan. Fundher also caters to businesses with high potential for innovation and impact across key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, technology and the creative industry.
By combining finance with capacity-building workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and mentorship, FundHer empowers women not just to start businesses but to scale them sustainably. This initiative underscores Fidelity Bank’s belief that investing in women-owned enterprises fuels broader economic growth and fosters inclusive development across Nigeria.
Equipping Women Entrepreneurs with Digital Tools
According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, SMEs make up 96 percent of all businesses in the country, employ over 80 percent of the workforce, and contribute nearly 50 percent to the national GDP. Nairametrics further estimates that about 40% of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria are owned by women. Despite the critical role of SMEs in the economy, many still rely on manual processes that hinder efficiency and limit access to finance.
With this in mind, Fidelity Bank focused on equipping these businesses with digital tools to enhance their operations, boost competitiveness, and drive sustainable growth. This was a critical part of the vision behind the Fidelity SME Empowerment Program 2025 which held in July 2025 in Lagos.
The event, which drew a large turnout of entrepreneurs and stakeholders, marked the official launch of Fidelity Bank’s drive to equip 100 growth-ready SMEs with ERPRev-enabled POS systems and business support tools—at no cost to the beneficiaries. The benefiting businesses received: a POS desktop system, ERPRev business software, receipt printer and barcode scanner, inventory data input support, financial and bookkeeping training, branding and onboarding support, six months of post-installation monitoring; and a free Fidelity POS with instant settlement.
The three-day program featured high-impact trainings, masterclasses, and networking opportunities designed to spark innovation, build partnerships, and unlock new markets. Fidelity Bank’s intervention is both timely and strategic, providing SMEs with the digital tools and support they need to streamline operations, improve transparency, and unlock new growth opportunities in addition to inclusive finance and goal-driven communities.
Through initiatives like these, Fidelity Bank has shown that empowering women with skills, networks, and access to finance creates a powerful ripple effect. By equipping women entrepreneurs with digital tools and creative know-how, these programs have strengthened SMEs, expanded opportunities, and fostered innovation. As more women leverage these resources to grow their businesses, HerFidelity continues to champion inclusive growth, proving that when women rise, communities and economies thrive.
(DDM) – The Managing Director of FairMoney Microfinance Bank Nigeria, Henry Obiekea, has called for a nationwide push towards fair and inclusive digital finance.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Obiekea made the statement during a recent financial sector forum attended by industry leaders, regulators, and government officials.
He emphasized that digital financial inclusion is a key driver for Nigeria to achieve the $1 trillion economic agenda outlined by the current administration.
Obiekea explained that the adoption of technology-driven banking services can accelerate economic growth by increasing access to credit, promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He noted that despite Nigeria’s large population, a significant portion of citizens remain unbanked or underbanked, limiting their participation in the formal economy.
“Digital financial services must reach every Nigerian, regardless of location or income level,” Obiekea stated.
He highlighted that mobile banking, fintech platforms, and other innovative financial solutions can help bridge gaps in economic participation and drive productivity across sectors.
The FairMoney MD urged policymakers to implement supportive regulations that enable fintech growth while protecting consumers and ensuring system security.
According to him, collaboration between traditional banks, fintech companies, and government agencies is essential to create a resilient, inclusive digital economy.
Obiekea also stressed that financial literacy programs are crucial to empower Nigerians to take full advantage of digital financial tools.
He pointed out that digital access not only improves personal financial management but also boosts government revenue through broader tax compliance and formal sector engagement.
DDM reports that Obiekea’s call aligns with the administration’s economic diversification strategy, which prioritizes technology, innovation, and financial inclusion as pillars for sustainable growth.
Industry observers note that expanding digital finance can help Nigeria unlock new markets, attract foreign investment, and enhance the efficiency of domestic trade and payments systems.
Obiekea concluded by urging stakeholders to act swiftly, warning that failure to embrace digital financial inclusion could slow the nation’s progress toward achieving the $1 trillion economy target.
He expressed optimism that with coordinated effort, Nigeria can harness technology to transform its financial landscape and create opportunities for millions of citizens.
(DDM) – Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), in partnership with the Digital Assets Management Academy (DAMA), has announced the continuation of its weekly online discussion series titled Blockchain World 2.0.
The upcoming edition, scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2025, will explore the topic “Is the 2025 Crypto Bullrun Over?” in what promises to be one of the most engaging blockchain conversations of the year.
DDM corespondent Amaechi okoro confirmed that the live program will begin at 11:00 a.m. Nigeria Time and 11:00 GMT, streaming simultaneously on Zoom and the official DDM YouTube Channel.
According to the organizers, the episode will analyze current trends in the global cryptocurrency market, recent fluctuations in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices, and the factors that may determine whether the ongoing bullrun has reached its end or merely paused.
Participants are expected to include blockchain educators, investors, developers, and policy analysts from across Africa, Europe, and North America.
The session will also examine the growing role of regulatory frameworks, the influence of institutional investors, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence and tokenized assets on the digital economy.
The Zoom meeting details have been made public to ensure open participation:
🔹 Meeting ID: 870 8562 4072
🔹 Passcode: 871871
🔹 Join Link: Click to Join
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87085624072?pwd=t3LNMzrRHuMzoYDABHzPbWXI6go9Ez.1
In addition to live interaction on Zoom, DDM confirmed that the event will be streamed live on YouTube via the Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) channel.
The channel has become a hub for digital knowledge-sharing, focusing on blockchain education, digital transformation, financial literacy, and innovation across Africa’s emerging economies.
Viewers are encouraged to subscribe to the DDM YouTube Channel for real-time notifications and updates whenever the weekly program goes live.
👉🏾 https://youtube.com/@ddmtvnews
The weekly Blockchain World 2.0 series has grown into a consistent platform for digital asset dialogue, bridging the gap between technology and policy while inspiring young Africans to explore blockchain’s potential beyond cryptocurrency trading.
The partnership between DDM and DAMA reflects a shared vision of empowering digital citizens with practical knowledge, policy insights, and exposure to global innovations in fintech, data governance, and asset tokenization.
Organizers noted that this week’s topic, “Is the 2025 Crypto Bullrun Over?”, is particularly timely given the recent volatility in the global crypto market following shifting liquidity patterns and evolving investor confidence.
Experts will provide projections on future price trends, decentralized finance (DeFi) developments, and the sustainability of blockchain adoption in Nigeria’s and Africa’s financial ecosystems.
The hosts encouraged professionals, students, and enthusiasts to participate actively by asking questions, sharing market experiences, and contributing to discussions that can influence Africa’s digital future.
The Blockchain World 2.0 series continues every Wednesday at the same time, offering reliable, research-driven insights into blockchain technology and the future of financial systems worldwide.
(DDM) – The Nigerian Naira opened the new week on a relatively stable note in the parallel market, maintaining its position against the United States dollar after a brief appreciation last week.
According to data obtained by Investors King from major Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in Lagos and Abuja, the dollar-to-naira exchange rate stood at ₦1,450 per dollar for buying and ₦1,460 per dollar for selling as of Monday, November 10th, 2025.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the Naira’s resilience is being supported by increased remittance inflows, steady oil revenue, and reduced speculative trading across major trading centers.
Market analysts said steady dollar supply from oil exports and diaspora remittances has helped meet forex demand and stabilize liquidity in the market.
Between Friday, November 7th and Monday, November 10th, the Naira appreciated by ₦10, moving from ₦1,450 to ₦1,460 in the black market.
BDC traders attributed the sustained balance to consistent inflows from remittances, improved foreign exchange circulation, and moderate import-related demand.
However, official rates from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remain higher, reflecting the persistent disparity between official and black-market values, a long-standing structural challenge in the Nigerian forex landscape.
Experts say the stability in the Naira’s value can be traced to five major factors:
1. Improved Dollar Supply – Driven by oil exports and steady diaspora inflows.
2. Reduced Speculation – CBN’s strict oversight has curbed panic buying.
3. Moderate Dollar Demand – Import activities have slightly declined.
4. Stable Oil Prices – Brent crude holding around $85 per barrel strengthens reserves.
5. Improved Confidence – Renewed faith in the government’s monetary management.
Economically, this steady exchange rate is a mixed blessing. Importers and consumers benefit from lower import costs, potentially easing inflation pressures.
Investors also gain short-term confidence from forex stability, while students and travelers find tuition and travel expenses more manageable.
However, financial experts caution that long-term stability will depend on sustained non-oil export growth, increased foreign investments, and bridging the gap between the official and black-market rates.
Looking ahead, analysts forecast that the Naira will trade between ₦1,445 and ₦1,465 per dollar in the coming days if the current fundamentals remain unchanged.
This outlook signals cautious optimism for Nigeria’s economy as it navigates the pressures of inflation, forex demand, and global oil market volatility.
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