Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting non-oil exports by hosting the 18th edition of its Export Management Programme (EMP 18) in Lagos. The initiative, held in collaboration with the Lagos Business School (LBS), provided entrepreneurs with essential skills and knowledge to navigate the international trade sector.
The five-day intensive training aimed at strengthening the capacity of Nigerian businesses to compete globally. Speaking on the initiative, Isaiah Ndukwe, Divisional Head of Export and Agriculture at Fidelity Bank, highlighted the significance of non-oil exports in driving economic growth.
“At Fidelity Bank, our strategy to enhance non-oil exports is guided by the significant opportunities it offers to our customers and the national economy. This is why we offer a comprehensive suite of financial, advisory, and market-access solutions for businesses aiming to engage in international trade,” Ndukwe said.
He further noted that since its launch in 2016, the EMP has trained over 1,600 entrepreneurs, with the latest edition experiencing a 150% oversubscription.
The programme featured sessions on key areas of global trade, including Export Finance Instruments, Export Documentation, and Market Accessibility. A highlight of the training was a facility tour of an Export Processing Terminal (EPT) in Ikorodu, Lagos, where officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) provided participants with insights into regulatory procedures.
One of the participants, Patrick Ulayi Awu-Patricks, Managing Director/CEO of Alliance & Frontier Limited, commended Fidelity Bank for its efforts in capacity building. “This course has given me insights into the power of data, which is essential for strategic decision-making in the export sector,” he said.
Fidelity Bank, a leading commercial deposit money bank in Nigeria, serves over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, 255 business offices, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank has received multiple awards, including Export Finance Bank of the Year 2023, Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022, and Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria 2023 by Euromoney Awards for Excellence.