Fidelity Bank Partners CANEX WKND 2026 To Boost Nigeria’s Creative Economy

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe

Fidelity Bank Plc has announced its partnership with the 2026 edition of the Creative Africa Nexus WKND as an Official Trade Partner.

The partnership reinforces the bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s creative economy and creative entrepreneurs across the continent.

The four-day creative industry event is scheduled to hold from November 5 to 8, 2026 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre Complex, Iganmu, Lagos.

This year’s theme is One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World. The event will bring together creative entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and policymakers from across Africa and the diaspora.

At the CANEX WKND 2026, Fidelity Bank will showcase its Fidelity Creativerse initiative under the theme Where Creativity Meets Business Opportunity.

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to engage with representatives of Fidelity Bank and explore relevant banking, payment and business solutions designed for the creative sector.

Creative entrepreneurs, business owners and industry stakeholders can visit the Fidelity Bank stand at the event to explore opportunities, establish valuable connections and access solutions that support business growth.

Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe said the bank remains committed to supporting the creative economy because of its strategic importance in driving economic growth and deepening international trade.

She said Africa’s creative economy represents an important opportunity for enterprise, job creation, innovation and trade. According to her, unlocking this potential requires a strong ecosystem that develops talent, supports viable business structures and connects entrepreneurs to finance, partnerships and markets.

She explained that at Fidelity Bank, they understand the role financial institutions must play in building this ecosystem. She noted that the bank’s participation at CANEX WKND reflects its commitment to helping creative entrepreneurs transform their talents into sustainable businesses that can compete successfully in local and international markets.

The Fidelity Bank CEO will also speak during a session titled Building the Capital Stack for Africa’s Creative Economy. Her presentation will examine the skills, infrastructure, market access, institutional support and financing required to build bankable creative enterprises.

The bank will also host a workshop titled Fueling Visions, Creating Impact on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The session will bring together professionals from banking, filmmaking, photography, fashion, content creation and music to discuss how creative talent can be developed into commercially viable businesses.

Fidelity Bank’s CANEX WKND partnership builds on its ongoing efforts to help creative entrepreneurs grow, thrive and prosper. Through the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect FNITCC, its global trade platform, the bank has connected Nigerian businesses and creative entrepreneurs with international buyers, investors and strategic partners.

Through Creativerse and the Fidelity SME Hub, the bank also supports hands-on training in cinematography, mobile video editing, fashion styling, beauty, voice-over work, public speaking and other creative disciplines. These programmes help creatives develop commercially relevant skills and build sustainable businesses.

CANEX WKND is an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank Afreximbank and provides a platform for creative professionals to connect with investors, buyers, policymakers and industry leaders. The 2026 edition will feature exhibitions, panel discussions, performances, deal rooms, masterclasses and business networking sessions.

Interested participants can register to attend CANEX WKND 2026 at https://wknd.canex.africa/