Susan Abayomi
Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s creative industry through its sponsorship of the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX WKND), where it will participate as an Official Trade Partner.
The four-day event is scheduled to take place from November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre Complex, Lagos. It will attract creative entrepreneurs, investors, business executives and policymakers under the theme, “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World.”
As part of its participation, the bank will showcase its Fidelity Creativerse initiative under the theme, “Where Creativity Meets Business Opportunity.” The platform will provide visitors with opportunities to interact with the bank’s representatives and explore banking, payment and business solutions designed to support the creative industry.
Creative entrepreneurs, business owners and other industry stakeholders are expected to visit the bank’s exhibition stand to explore business opportunities, establish strategic connections and access financial solutions that can facilitate growth.
Speaking on the partnership, Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the bank recognises the strategic role of the creative economy in advancing Nigeria’s economic development and expanding international trade.
She noted that Africa’s creative industry offers significant opportunities for entrepreneurship, employment generation, innovation and trade, stressing the need for a supportive ecosystem that nurtures talent, strengthens business structures and connects entrepreneurs to financing, partnerships and markets.
According to her, financial institutions have an important responsibility to support the development of the sector by helping creative entrepreneurs transform their talents into sustainable businesses capable of competing in both local and international markets.
Onyeali-Ikpe is also expected to speak at a session titled, “Building the Capital Stack for Africa’s Creative Economy,” where she will discuss the essential skills, infrastructure, market access, institutional backing and financing needed to establish commercially viable creative enterprises.
In addition, the bank will organise a workshop themed “Fueling Visions, Creating Impact” on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
The workshop will feature professionals from the banking, filmmaking, photography, fashion, content creation and music industries, who will examine ways of transforming creative talents into sustainable and profitable businesses.
The partnership builds on Fidelity Bank’s existing initiatives aimed at empowering creative entrepreneurs and helping businesses in the sector achieve sustainable growth.
Through its Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC), the bank’s global trade platform, it has facilitated connections between Nigerian businesses, creative entrepreneurs, international buyers, investors and strategic partners.
The bank also provides practical training through its Creativerse initiative and Fidelity SME Hub in areas such as cinematography, mobile video editing, fashion styling, beauty, voice-over, public speaking and other creative skills. The programmes are designed to equip participants with relevant expertise and the business knowledge required to build sustainable enterprises.
CANEX WKND, an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), provides a platform for creative industry players to engage with investors, buyers, policymakers and business leaders.
The 2026 edition will feature exhibitions, panel discussions, live performances, deal rooms, masterclasses and networking sessions aimed at strengthening business relationships and unlocking opportunities across Africa’s creative industries.
Interested participants can register through the CANEX WKND website.
