Fidelity Bank partners Afreximbank on creative economy development

By Adebola Muili

Fidelity Bank Plc has partnered with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX WKND), as part of efforts to promote business opportunities and strengthen access to finance for entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s creative industry.

The partnership, under which Fidelity Bank will participate as an Official Trade Partner, will feature at the four-day event scheduled to hold from November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre Complex, Lagos.

The bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the partnership reflects its commitment to supporting the creative economy, which she described as an important contributor to enterprise development, employment generation, innovation and international trade.

She said Africa’s creative industry required adequate financing, business partnerships, infrastructure and access to markets to realise its economic potential.

“Africa’s creative economy represents an important opportunity for enterprise, job creation, innovation and trade. Unlocking this potential requires a strong ecosystem that develops talent, supports viable business structures and connects entrepreneurs to finance, partnerships and markets,” she said.

Onyeali-Ikpe added that the bank was committed to helping creative entrepreneurs transform their talents into sustainable businesses capable of competing in local and international markets.

As part of its activities at the event, the bank will showcase its Fidelity Creativerse initiative under the theme, “Where Creativity Meets Business Opportunity”, through which participants will be able to explore banking, payment and business solutions.

The bank’s chief executive will also speak at a session titled, “Building the Capital Stack for Africa’s Creative Economy”, focusing on the financing, skills, infrastructure and institutional support needed to develop bankable businesses in the sector.

Similarly, Fidelity Bank will host a workshop titled, “Fueling Visions, Creating Impact”, on November 7, bringing together professionals in banking, filmmaking, photography, fashion, content creation and music to discuss ways of developing creative talents into commercially viable businesses.

The bank said its participation builds on existing interventions through its Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC), which connects Nigerian businesses and creative entrepreneurs with international buyers, investors and strategic partners.

It also provides practical training in cinematography, mobile video editing, fashion styling, beauty, voice-over work and other creative disciplines through its Creativerse initiative and Fidelity SME Hub.

CANEX WKND, an initiative of Afreximbank, provides a platform for creative professionals to engage with investors, buyers, policymakers and industry leaders.

The 2026 edition, themed “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World”, will feature exhibitions, panel discussions, performances, deal rooms, masterclasses and business networking sessions.