Fidelity Bank Plc has commenced the disbursement of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Intervention Fund, with a special focus on women-owned businesses.
The fund, administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), is aimed at providing affordable financing to small businesses across Nigeria’s 36 states.
According to the bank, this phase of the programme prioritises women entrepreneurs as part of its broader strategy to promote gender inclusion, economic resilience, and job creation.
Speaking on the development, Osita Ede, Divisional Head of Product Development at Fidelity Bank, explained the reason for focusing on women-led enterprises.
He said: “As a bank deeply committed to the growth of SMEs, we are proud to partner with the Federal Government and the Bank of Industry on this critical intervention. For this phase, we are placing women at the forefront because we recognize their resilience, innovation, and pivotal contributions to wealth creation and employment generation in Nigeria,” he added .
Fidelity Bank said it has deployed a robust structure to ensure easy onboarding and quick access to funds. With its 255 business offices, nationwide branch network, digital banking platforms, and experienced relationship managers, the bank is targeting entrepreneurs in both urban and rural communities.
The lender described its role in the scheme as part of a wider mission to strengthen Nigeria’s small business ecosystem.
The bank’s commitment to SMEs extends beyond financing. Earlier this year, Fidelity launched the Fidelity SME Empowerment Programme (FSEP) at its Gbagada SME Hub in Lagos.
Under the programme, 100 growth-ready small businesses received free business support including ERPRev-enabled POS systems, inventory management tools, branding support, receipt printers, software solutions, training workshops, and six months of monitoring.
In May 2025, Fidelity also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SMEDAN, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, to provide low-interest loans, market access, and capacity-building programmes for SMEs.
“Our vision goes beyond financing. We are building an ecosystem of support for SMEs by offering capacity-building programs, mentorship opportunities, and market access. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, will benefit from a larger share of the fund as part of our broader strategy to promote gender inclusion,” Ede added.
The intervention, Fidelity Bank said, will deepen access to affordable credit while strengthening the resilience of Nigeria’s small business sector.
Fidelity Bank, which serves more than 9.1 million customers in Nigeria and through its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited, has won several awards in recognition of its support for SMEs and digital banking innovation.
In 2024, the bank was named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by Euromoney Awards for Excellence, Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards, and also received international awards for digital transformation and innovation in mobile banking.
