Susan Abayomi
Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s beauty industry and women-owned businesses through its sponsorship and participation in the business development sessions at Beauty in the Motherland 2026.
The three-day event, held from October 5 to 7 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together entrepreneurs, investors, retailers, established brands and other stakeholders across the beauty value chain.
With more than 300 exhibitors and an estimated attendance of over 3,000 participants, the event provided a platform for businesses in skincare, haircare, cosmetics, fragrances and wellness to showcase their products, connect with potential customers and explore new commercial opportunities.
Fidelity Bank’s participation focused on equipping entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and strategies for building sustainable businesses, expanding into new markets and improving their financial management.
Several panel sessions addressed critical issues affecting the industry, including consumer behaviour, retail strategies, access to finance, cash flow management, digital commerce, logistics and regional expansion.
One of the sessions, Beauty Retail as a Science: Consumer Behaviour, What Is Working Today in Africa, examined how consumer insights, data and retail strategies can help beauty brands strengthen their market positions and respond effectively to changing customer preferences.
The discussion featured Ife Bakare of Medplus Pharmacy; Chinedu Okoye, founder of PerfecTrust Cosmetics; Subuola, founder of Beauty Hut Africa; and media personality and content creator Tomike Adeoye.
Another session, Positioning in the Beauty Industry for the Next Phase of Growth, explored opportunities for regional expansion, commercial partnerships and improved access to wider markets.
Moderated by Samuel Joseph, the session featured Olamide Olowe, founder of Topicals; Kehinde Smith; Valerie Obaze; and Joycee Awosika, founder of ORIKI Group. The speakers highlighted the importance of strategic positioning, business networks and partnerships in helping emerging beauty brands achieve sustainable growth.
The programme also featured The Founders Blueprint: Overcoming Logistics and Launching Digital Brands, which examined how entrepreneurs could leverage digital platforms to navigate supply chain challenges and build competitive businesses.
Participants included Aniya Benjamin, founder of Body Secrets Africa Group; Favour Braids, founder of FBH Cosmetics; Esa Uzo, founder of Estab; and Omabalaji Mogaji. They shared insights into managing logistics, developing digital brands and building resilient business operations.
Access to finance was another major focus of the programme. During a session on capital, cash flow and financial scaling for beauty brands, Fidelity Bank’s Regional Bank Head, Ikoyi, Chetachi Okechukwu, and Divisional Head, SME Banking, Ugochi Osinigwe, offered guidance on improving financial readiness and positioning businesses to attract funding.
The discussion emphasised proper record-keeping, effective cash flow management, financial planning and clear growth strategies as essential elements for building sustainable enterprises.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, also participated in a fireside conversation on business growth, empowerment and emerging opportunities within the beauty industry.
She highlighted the importance of financing, capacity development, digital payment solutions, sound financial management and access to new markets in helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Onyeali-Ikpe noted that the bank’s sponsorship of Beauty in the Motherland for the third consecutive year reflected its confidence in the industry’s potential and the entrepreneurs driving its development.
Beyond the educational sessions, Fidelity Bank provided payment, account-opening and advisory services to participating businesses. As the event’s exclusive point-of-sale provider, the bank facilitated vendor collections and encouraged the adoption of digital payment solutions.
Its offerings at the event included Fidelity POS Instant Settlement, PayGate Plus and SME accounts. Bank representatives also engaged entrepreneurs on suitable banking services, financial management and opportunities for business expansion.
Through initiatives such as the Fidelity SME Hub, Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, SME masterclasses, HerFidelity and FundHer, the bank provides entrepreneurs with access to financing, business advisory services, capacity development, digital solutions and market opportunities.
Beauty in the Motherland 2026 concluded with participating businesses gaining greater visibility, new commercial connections and practical insights to support their growth ambitions.
The sessions highlighted the importance of combining creativity and product quality with sound financial management, digital capabilities, reliable supply chains and access to wider markets to achieve sustainable growth in Africa’s beauty industry.
By combining sponsorship with financial education, advisory services, payment solutions and market access opportunities, Fidelity Bank continues to support the development of Nigeria’s beauty sector and women-owned enterprises.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a commercial deposit money bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels and 255 business offices in Nigeria, as well as its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria Innovation Award for MSME support, the Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers, and awards for Best Bank for Export and Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards.
It was also recognised as Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards and received awards from Nairametrics, NewsDirect, Citi Group and Global Brands Magazine for its performance, SME support, payment processing and community empowerment initiatives.
