Admin I Tuesday, Sept 23, 2025
ATLANTA – In a global economy where Nigeria’s non-oil exports stand at under $5 billion annually, platforms that create tangible pathways to international markets are not just valuable—they are essential.
The recently concluded Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC) in Atlanta, Georgia, was a testament to this, proving to be a game-changer for Nigerian businesses with a quantifiable impact on trade and growth.
Hosted by Fidelity Bank Plc, in collaboration with AFRICON, the three-day event from September 18 to 20, 2025, represented a significant escalation in scale and impact from its predecessors. Building on the success of the inaugural London edition in 2022, which drew over 1,000 daily visitors and sealed deals worth approximately $200 million, and the 2023 Houston edition that saw over 160 participating businesses and a landmark $40 million pre-export finance agreement, FNITCC Atlanta 2025 set new benchmarks.
The event, which was projected to attract over 3,000 participants and facilitate more than $400 million in trade and investment deals, demonstrated a clear step up. This year’s event saw increased attendance, enhanced exhibition setups, and deeper engagement, as participants shared stories of new customers and meaningful connections.
For a nation where non-oil exports have been a persistent challenge, this concentrated effort to bridge the gap between Nigerian innovation and global opportunity is a crucial narrative.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, highlighted the scale of the challenge and the ambition of the initiative. “While Nigeria’s non-oil exports currently stand at under $5 billion annually, the potential is immense,” she said, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to expanding Nigeria-U.S. trade beyond the traditional oil sector.
The success of FNITCC Atlanta 2025 underscores a broader shift in the Nigerian business landscape—a growing focus on value-added products and services that can compete on the world stage.
As Fidelity Bank, a institution serving over 9.1 million customers through its 255 business offices and digital channels, continues to invest in platforms that amplify local talent, the numbers point to a brighter future for Nigerian enterprise, one focused on diversification and shared prosperity.
