Fidelity Bank Plc is partnering with Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) to empower entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The recently signed partnership agreement between both organisations 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 organisation 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, the partnership is in tandem with Fidelity Bank’s 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.

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 November 30 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 organisations 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; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Borno State Governor; Alhaji Kashim Shettima; Mr. Philip Auerswald from the United States of America; and Mr. Fela Durotoye, among others.

With the calibre 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 organisations 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,” Okonkwo said.

Speaking in the same vein, A.Y.E President said that the partnership is in line with efforts at building the next generation of outstanding leaders, who would 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.

•From left: Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, Charles Aigbe; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo; President, Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs, Summy Smart Francis; Vice President, AYE, Ibada Ahmed; and Head, Managed SMEs, Fidelity Bank Plc, Ken Opara, at the media parley on the partnership between Fidelity Bank and AYE which held in Lagos on Wednesday.

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