CBN grants Fidelity Bank e-commerce platform license

The statement quoted Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, the bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, as saying that the approval would further open new markets for MSME.

“We have always seen access to markets as critical success factor in our quest to deepen the MSME service offering.

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“With this approval, and given the increasing internet penetration, we see an exciting opportunity to further open up new markets for MSMEs, using technology,” Okonkwo said.

He explained that the CBN decision to grant the bank full license, to roll-out electronic commerce services, was driven specifically by the its unique approach to financial inclusion.

Okonkwo said that many MSMEs lack requisite expertise and capacity to manage online store, thereby making it difficult for them to make sales.

He, however, listed the factors hampering MSME’s growth to include funding constraints, poor record keeping, lack of requisite technological tools and epileptic power supply.

Okonkwo advised small businesses to take advantage of the online platform to boost their revenues by trading on local and international arenas.

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“We want to raise the level of competitiveness of Nigerian MSMEs in a global market”, Okonkwo was quoted as saying.

He said that e-commerce had gained recognition in national and international trade, noting that the bank would strengthen the level of participation of Nigerian SMEs in global e-commerce sales.

According to him, the online platform fosters linkages to multilateral agencies and organisations to enable MSMEs explore export markets or franchising opportunities.