In a significant move to empower women entrepreneurs with essential digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills, Fidelity Bank Plc has successfully trained 1,276 women through a strategic partnership with ImpactHER. The free training sessions, which ran from August 19 to August 23, 2024, aimed to equip women with the tools needed to grow their businesses in the digital age.
Osita Ede, Divisional Head of Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, highlighted the importance of this initiative within the bank’s broader strategy. “Women-led small businesses account for over 40% of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria,” Ede stated. “Empowering female entrepreneurs with the relevant skills to run successful businesses aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper.”
The training, conducted online by ImpactHER, covered a range of topics designed to enhance the participants’ ability to leverage technology effectively. Key sessions included “Getting Started with Email Marketing,” “How to Harness AI for Content Creation as a Small Business Owner,” and “Branding and Positioning.” These skills are crucial for navigating the increasingly digital landscape of modern business.
Efe Ukala, Founder of ImpactHER, emphasized the need for such training, pointing out that women and girls are significantly underrepresented in the digital sphere. “Women are 25% less likely to leverage digital technology for basic purposes, 4 times less likely to know how to program computers, and 13 times less likely to file for technology patents,” Ukala noted. She stressed the economic potential of bridging this gap, citing that Africa could add $180 billion to its GDP by 2025 if the e-commerce digital divide is closed.
The program participants praised the training for its practical approach and immediate applicability. The success of this initiative has laid the groundwork for future collaborations between Fidelity Bank and ImpactHER, aiming to extend similar opportunities to more women entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
With this recent cohort, the total number of women entrepreneurs trained through the Fidelity Bank and ImpactHER partnership now stands at 5,719. This initiative underscores Fidelity Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting small businesses and contributing to Nigeria’s economic development.
Fidelity Bank, a top-ranked financial institution in Nigeria, serves over 8.3 million customers through 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, as well as through its digital banking channels. The bank has received numerous accolades, including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and the Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.