Fidelity Bank Ghana, the largest privately-owned Ghanaian bank, has been crowned the winner of the Excellence in SME Banking Award at the prestigious Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025, held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra.

The award, co-located with the 18th Edition Connected Banking Summit – West Africa, recognizes the bank’s groundbreaking efforts in driving financial inclusion, fostering innovation, and empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)—the backbone of Ghana’s economy.

Reflecting on the award and the bank’s journey, Julian Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, underscored the institution’s dedication to SME growth:

“SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy, contributing over 70% of Ghana’s GDP and employing millions. At Fidelity Bank, we recognise that our success is their success. This award validates our relentless pursuit to provide not just financial solutions, but holistic support through strategic partnerships, capacity building, and innovative platforms. We are committed to creating and supporting sustainable businesses whose ripple effects—job creation, community development, and economic resilience—will propel Ghana forward.”

Commenting further on the award, Julian Opuni noted, “This award is not an endpoint but a milestone. We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and invest in SMEs—because when they thrive, Ghana thrives.”

At the heart of Fidelity Bank’s success is its comprehensive approach to supporting SMEs. Through the Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Initiative (FYEI), the bank has empowered countless startups and existing businesses with competitive financing at a 10% interest rate, coupled with mentorship, technical support, and access to market programs.

Over the past five years, FYEI has not only provided vital capital but has also facilitated knowledge-sharing forums and summits that bring together industry experts, entrepreneurs, and business executives to foster growth and resilience. In a related initiative, the Green Tech Innovation Challenge has awarded over GHS 1.4 million to 17 innovative agritech businesses addressing key challenges in Ghana’s agricultural sector.

Furthermore, Fidelity Bank’s landmark agreement with Proxtera to launch the Ghana Integrated Financial Ecosystem (GIFE) Platform has empowered SMEs with enhanced access to finance, expanded customer reach, and essential business skills.

The bank has also taken significant strides on the international stage through its Fidelity Export Club, which offers a comprehensive export value proposition, educational seminars on sustainable practices, and participation in global trade fairs—benefiting over 400 exporters and farmers.

Additionally, the transformative BRIDGE-in-Agriculture (BiA) initiative, launched in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has addressed the funding gap in agriculture by disbursing GH¢47.97 million to SMEs and smallholders since its inception.

This initiative has reached 11,000 smallholder farmers, created 1,790 new jobs, and sustained 3,209 existing ones, with over 41% of beneficiaries being women.

Ghana’s SME sector employs over 80% of the workforce, yet many struggle with access to finance and skills. Fidelity Bank’s multi-pronged approach addresses these challenges head-on, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 (Decent Work), 9 (Industry & Innovation), and 17 (Partnerships).