Fidelity Bank Plc. is partnering with Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) to empower entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The partnership agreement between both organizations, signed recently, will strengthen the on-going efforts and initiatives of A.Y.E in developing and supporting future business leaders. It will also afford Fidelity Bank the opportunity to offer financial and technical advisory services to enhance the competitiveness and dynamism of young Nigerian entrepreneurs.
With a network of over 12.6 million members across the continent and 1.6 million Nigerian members, A.Y.E is the largest network of entrepreneurs in the world. The organization uses conferences, workshops and motivational talks to share practical information on how to develop and manage businesses. As one of Nigeria’s top lenders operating out of over 240 business offices and other numerous e-channels, this is in tandem with Fidelity Banks’ unique solutions to supporting small businesses and practical steps in hand holding and guiding entrepreneurs to building sustainable businesses.
“The partnership was made possible because we share the same ideals on entrepreneurship and job creation. In line with the Federal Government’s Economic Diversification Plan, more employment opportunities lead to poverty alleviation, improved food security and GDP growth” said CEO Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo at a media parley in Lagos on Wednesday November 22, 2017.
A.Y.E encourages social entrepreneurship with role models, powerful mentors, social innovators, thought leaders, forward thinking investors and people passionate about addressing a range of societal and environmental challenges. These stakeholders gather every once in a year in what is tagged the ‘Networking with the Giants Conference’. The 3rd Annual Conference which is the 2017 edition is billed to hold in partnership with Fidelity Bank on the 30th of November, 2017 in Lagos.
The annual conference, according to the President of A.Y.E, Mr. Summy Smart Francis, is an exceptional platform for some of the world’s most accomplished business leaders to network with perhaps the brightest entrepreneurs in Africa. “It provides ample opportunity for individuals with vibrant business ideas to network with established industry leaders, policy makers and outstanding investors from around the globe to draw priceless, life-transforming inspirations from success stories” he stated.
Prominent business leaders and organizations expected to attend the conference include: the majority shareholder in Africa’s largest retail store, Shoprite Holdings; Dr. Christoffel Wiese, Africa’s richest black woman, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Delta State Governor; Dr. Okowa, Borno State Governor; Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Mr. Philip Auerswald (U.S.A), Mr. Fela Durotoye amongst others.
With the caliber and diversity of industry leaders billed to attend the conference, Fidelity Bank and A.Y.E are keen on reawakening the latent entrepreneurial spirit in the youth population. Both organizations are committed to identifying burgeoning start-ups with exceptional ideas and showcasing their potentials to the entire world.
“As a Bank, we are committed to growing the economy and in pursuit of this, we are constantly searching for critical partners that are closely aligned to our strategic objectives. A.Y.E is one of those partners”, Mr. Okonkwo said. Speaking in the same vein, A.Y.E President said that the partnership is inline with efforts at building the next generation of outstanding leaders, who will shape the economic landscape of the continent. “We are encouraged by this collaboration with Fidelity Bank which in no doubt, will enhance amongst other things, our entrepreneurship advocacy and empowerment objectives” he stated.
