Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially flagged off the 2025 edition of the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia.

In his keynote address, Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to global economic partnerships, noting the state’s growing influence as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse. He revealed that Lagos attracted $5.95 billion in foreign capital inflows in 2024—representing over two-thirds of Nigeria’s total inflows. In the first quarter of 2025, the state sustained its lead with $2.56 billion despite global economic challenges.

Projecting into the future, the governor said Lagos is on course to become the ninth-largest city economy in the world by 2030, with a population expected to surpass 30 million. He also emphasized Lagos’s role as the heartbeat of Africa’s tech ecosystem, housing more than 2,500 startups, including globally recognized unicorns such as Flutterwave and Andela.

Hosted by Fidelity Bank Plc, FNITCC serves as the bank’s flagship market access platform designed to boost non-oil exports. This year’s three-day event attracted over 3,000 participants, including investors, trade agencies, exporters, and diaspora professionals, with projected trade and investment deals valued at more than $500 million.

Speaking at the event, Fidelity Bank Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, underlined the bank’s mission to transform Nigeria’s trade relationship with the United States. She stressed the potential of non-oil exports, which currently stand at less than $5 billion annually, while highlighting Lagos’s significant role, contributing over 30% of Nigeria’s GDP.

“Georgia, with its world-class logistics infrastructure, vibrant diaspora, and progressive trade policies, is a natural partner in Nigeria’s transition to a non-oil export-driven economy,” Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe said. “Its ports, airports, and innovation hubs offer Nigerian exporters a strategic gateway into the U.S. market.”

She added that Fidelity Bank’s creation of FNITCC was inspired by the belief that access to global markets provides a pathway to shared prosperity.

FNITCC Atlanta 2025 is the third edition of the initiative, following successful editions in London and Houston, which generated over $500 million in export business. This year’s edition is expected to create a trade and investment pipeline worth over $300 million.

Fidelity Bank, a full-fledged commercial bank with over 9.1 million customers and 251 business offices across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, has received multiple awards for its excellence in digital transformation, SME banking, and export financing.