Fidelity Bank Targets $500m in Deals at Atlanta Trade Conference

Fidelity Bank Plc has unveiled plans to host the 2025 edition of its flagship Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) in Atlanta, Georgia, with projections to facilitate over $500 million in trade and investment deals. The event, scheduled for September 18–20, 2025, will be held at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park. The bank described the FNITCC as a strategic platform designed to deepen trade relations between Nigeria and the United States, attract diaspora investments, and create sustainable export opportunities for Nigerian businesses. This year’s edition is expected to draw participants from diverse sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, creative industries, and export-oriented services. According to Fidelity Bank, the conference will gather more than 3,000 participants, including U.S. investors, policymakers, and representatives of international development agencies. At least 100 Nigerian exporters have been confirmed to showcase their products and services to American buyers, creating room for direct negotiations and off-take agreements. The bank emphasised that the forum would not only promote networking but also ensure that business-to-business engagements translate into binding contracts. Central to the programme will be a panel on export financing, where experts from banking, export credit agencies, and investment institutions will address funding gaps and explore innovative models to support exporters. High-Level Engagements FNITCC 2025 has attracted commitments from government officials and trade bodies. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is billed to lead the state’s delegation, signalling subnational government support for the initiative. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), represented by its Executive Director Nonye Ayeni, is also expected to play a pivotal role in shaping discussions around Nigeria’s non-oil exports. Other stakeholders from the private sector, U.S. trade associations, and diaspora business networks will participate in roundtables and plenary sessions aimed at fostering long-term partnerships. Fidelity Bank disclosed that the event will feature sectoral showcases, policy dialogues, and matchmaking sessions, all structured to deliver tangible investment outcomes. By hosting the event in Atlanta — a city with a thriving African diaspora community and established trade links — Fidelity Bank intends to leverage diaspora capital and strengthen Nigeria’s export footprint in North America. The bank noted that the U.S. market holds significant untapped opportunities for Nigerian agricultural produce, manufactured goods, and creative content. Fidelity Bank Managing Director and CEO, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has repeatedly stressed the bank’s commitment to positioning Nigerian businesses for global competitiveness. She explained that the FNITCC aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic diversification agenda and the drive to increase foreign exchange inflows from non-oil exports. Anticipated Outcomes Organisers say the projected $500 million in deals will be realised through a combination of trade finance arrangements, investment commitments, and off-take agreements signed during and after the conference. While some industry observers describe the target as ambitious, they acknowledge that the event provides a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between Nigerian exporters and international buyers. The success of the Atlanta conference, analysts suggest, will hinge on how quickly announced deals are implemented and whether exporters are able to navigate regulatory, logistics, and financing challenges to deliver on their commitments. If successful, FNITCC 2025 could emerge as a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its export earnings and strengthen bilateral trade ties with the United States.