Lagos, August 30, 2024 — Fidelity Bank Plc has collaborated with ImpactHER, a leading not-for-profit organization, to provide free digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills training to 1,276 women entrepreneurs across Nigeria. The five-day intensive online program aimed to empower female business owners with the necessary technological skills to scale and optimize their businesses in today’s digital economy.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including Email Marketing, Harnessing AI for Content Creation, and Branding and Positioning, providing participants with practical knowledge and tools to enhance their business operations and competitiveness.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Osita Ede, Divisional Head of Product Development at Fidelity Bank, stated, “Available data points to the fact that women-led small businesses account for over 40 percent of micro, small, and medium enterprises in Nigeria. This underscores the critical role female entrepreneurs play in driving economic growth. At Fidelity Bank, we believe that empowering female entrepreneurs with the relevant skills to run successful businesses goes a long way in helping individuals to grow, businesses to thrive, and economies to prosper in line with our mandate.”
Since the inception of the partnership between Fidelity Bank and ImpactHER, a total of 5,719 women entrepreneurs have benefited from the free digital skills training programs, underscoring the sustained commitment of both organizations to fostering inclusive economic growth and bridging the digital divide among female-led businesses in Nigeria.
Efe Ukala, Founder of ImpactHER, emphasized the importance of equipping African women with digital competencies, noting that, “Statistically, women and girls are 25 percent less likely to leverage digital technology for basic purposes, four times less likely to know how to program computers, and 13 times less likely to file for technology patents. This highlights the importance of equipping African women with digital skills that can be leveraged to scale their businesses.”
She added, “Data shows that Africa can add $180 billion to its GDP by 2025 if we close the e-commerce digital gap. By offering this training at no cost and collaborating with supporters like Fidelity Bank to reach more women, we’re working to make these vital skills accessible to women entrepreneurs who can drive this economic growth.”
Participants of the August 2024 cohort praised the program for its practical approach and the immediate applicability of the skills learned. Many expressed optimism about leveraging the new knowledge to expand their business reach, improve operational efficiency, and increase profitability.
One of the participants, Grace Adeniyi, a fashion entrepreneur based in Lagos, shared her experience, saying, “The training was insightful and transformative. I have learned how to use AI tools to create engaging content and reach more customers through effective email marketing. I am confident that these skills will help me take my business to the next level.”
Fidelity Bank’s partnership with ImpactHER aligns with the bank’s broader strategy to support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and promote financial inclusion. The bank continues to invest in initiatives that provide entrepreneurs with access to finance, capacity-building programs, and mentorship opportunities.
As digital transformation becomes increasingly critical for business success, such collaborations play a vital role in empowering women entrepreneurs to overcome barriers, innovate, and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic development.
About Fidelity Bank Plc
Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria, offering a wide range of financial services to its diverse customer base. The bank is committed to supporting SMEs and fostering economic growth through innovative banking solutions and strategic partnerships.
About ImpactHER
ImpactHER is an award-winning not-for-profit organization that seeks to empower African female entrepreneurs by bridging the gender business financing gap and providing them with access to training, resources, and networks necessary to build sustainable and globally competitive businesses.