Moniepoint Microfinance Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to financial inclusion as the cornerstone of its business, declaring that its mission goes beyond market share to transforming lives across Nigeria and Africa.

 

Speaking at the 2025 annual conference of Finance Correspondent Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Lagos on Saturday, the bank’s Chief Executive, Babatunde Olofin, told a story that captured both the fragility and resilience of the Nigerian dream.

 

The theme of this year’s conference ‘Bracing for the Digital Economy in Nigeria: Taxation, Banking and Finance,’ brought together experts and stakeholders across the key finance sector of Africa’s largest economy, among whom was Moniepoint boss.
Olofin who was represented by the Head, Corporate Communications, *Mr. Bemigho Awala,* recounted the journey of a certain Iyaruka, a mother of four who relocated to Lagos after losing her homes in Abuja.
Starting out as a petty trader, she was onboarded onto Moniepoint’s payment platform two years ago, later gaining access to credit. Today, she runs three thriving stores and records daily revenues that once seemed impossible.
“That is the power of access. That is the meaning of inclusion,” the CEO declared. “Financial services should mean only one thing: progress.”

According to him Moniepoint’s new campaign, “We’re Made for Your Progress,” reflects its broader mission to power the dreams of Africans by using technology to provide speed, trust, and simplicity in financial transactions.

 

He stressed that the digital economy is not a distant prospect but a lived reality, underpinned by tools such as mobile connectivity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Yet, for technology to truly catalyse development, three pillars must be prioritised: trust, talent, and literacy.

 

Moniepoint, he noted, is investing heavily in these areas. Its “Dream Developments” incubator trains young Nigerians to build financial solutions, while the company also champions financial literacy as a safeguard against exclusion and misinformation. “Without knowledge,” he warned, “we are building on sand.”

Beyond banking transactions, Moniepoint is extending its solutions into areas such as inventory management for small retailers, enabling mom-and-pop shops to track stock and improve profitability. The bank is also documenting local case studies to better understand regional economies, including livestock and crop markets in Northern Nigeria.

 

The CEO emphasised that Africa’s financial future will not be scripted in Silicon Valley but determined by homegrown solutions, regulatory oversight, and informed journalism.

“At Moniepoint, we are not just interested in
growing the market. We are committed to transformation. Everyone can bank on technology as a force for good,” he concluded.

 

Amaka Obiefuna

 

 

Tier-one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian businesses in scaling up and competing effectively on the global stage. This commitment was underscored at the 2025 Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC), held over the weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Reflecting on FNITCC’s evolution over the past four years, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, described the initiative as a strategic expression of the bank’s vision to empower homegrown businesses for global competitiveness.

 

“FNITCC is a vision that has come a long way. We began by equipping Nigerian exporters with foundational knowledge through capacity-building programs in partnership with the Lagos Business School. From ground zero, we taught small businesses the fundamentals of export. Once they were ready, we created this platform to showcase them to the world. Our goal has always been to help shift Nigeria from an oil-dependent economy to a diversified, non-oil-driven one—and exports are key to that transformation,” said Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe in her welcome address.

 

She emphasized the unique value of FNITCC in connecting buyers and sellers directly, fostering trust and confidence through face-to-face interactions. “At this event, we have a wide range of buyers—from major retailers to small-scale distributors. Fidelity Bank has emerged as the leading bank in non-oil exports from the agricultural sector,” she added. She also encouraged participants to attend sideline sessions where regulatory agencies from Nigeria and the U.S. would share insights on compliance standards and export processes.

 

In his remarks, the Mayor of Atlanta, Mr. Andre Dickens, welcomed FNITCC to the city and highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Atlanta and Africa.

 

“This conference presents a unique opportunity for thought leaders from Atlanta and Africa to collaborate. Our shared legacies—from civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela to our mutual strengths in logistics, finance, technology, and the creative industries—form a strong foundation for trade and investment. We are not just networking; we are building lasting networks,” he said.

 

The third edition of FNITCC Atlanta featured deal rooms, panel discussions, exhibitions, and a gala dinner—all aimed at spotlighting Nigeria’s non-oil export potential and exploring pathways for expansion into the American market.

 

As part of efforts to deepen bilateral trade, a delegation from Lagos State also visited the Georgia State Capitol. Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared the state open for business and investment. He emphasized Lagos’ readiness to forge enduring partnerships and proposed the establishment of a sister-city framework to strengthen ties between Atlanta and Lagos.

 

Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 9.1 million customers who are serviced across its 251 business offices and various digital banking channels in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

 

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.