Maroc - DCONNECTNEWS.COM.NG - A La Une - 23/Sep 07:25

Sanwo-Olu Flags Off FNITCC 2025 at Georgia State Capitol

L – R: First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Aisha N. Ahmad,CFA; Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON; and Chairman, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi; at the 2025 Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) held in Atlanta, Georgia over the weekend.The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officially launched the 2025 edition of the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on Thursday, 18 September 2025.In his keynote address, Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Lagos State’s readiness to collaborate with corporate organizations and sub-national governments across the globe to unlock the state’s vast economic potential. He spotlighted Lagos as a powerhouse of non-oil revenue, noting that in 2024 alone, the state attracted $5.95 billion in foreign capital inflows—over two-thirds of Nigeria’s total. In Q1 2025, Lagos maintained its lead, drawing $2.56 billion despite global economic headwinds.He further emphasized Lagos’s trajectory toward becoming the ninth-largest city economy in the world by 2030, with a population exceeding 30 million and one of Africa’s most vibrant consumer markets. The Governor also highlighted Lagos as the heartbeat of Africa’s tech ecosystem, home to over 2,500 startups, including unicorns like Flutterwave and Andela.Hosted by leading Nigerian financial institution Fidelity Bank Plc, FNITCC is the bank’s flagship market access platform for non-oil exports. Over three days, the event welcomed more than 3,000 participants—including investors, trade agencies, exporters, and diaspora professionals—with projected trade and investment deals exceeding $500 million.In her remarks, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, emphasized the bank’s commitment to shifting Nigeria-U.S. trade beyond oil. She noted that while Nigeria’s non-oil exports currently stand at under $5 billion annually, the potential is immense. Lagos alone contributes over 30% of Nigeria’s GDP and is home to thousands of export-ready businesses spanning agriculture, fashion, creative industries, and professional services.“Georgia, with its world-class logistics infrastructure, vibrant diaspora, and progressive trade policies, is a natural partner in Nigeria’s transformation toward a non-oil export-driven economy,” said Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe. “Its ports, airports, and innovation hubs offer Nigerian exporters a strategic gateway into the U.S. market.”She added, “At Fidelity Bank, we believe access to global markets is a pathway to shared prosperity. That belief inspired the creation of FNITCC.”FNITCC Atlanta 2025 marks the third edition of Fidelity Bank’s global trade initiative, following successful outings in London and Houston that unlocked over $500 million in export business. This year’s edition is expected to generate a trade and investment pipeline of over $300 million.Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 9.1 million customers who are serviced across its 251 business offices and various digital banking channels in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.