Fidelity Bank Ghana has hosted its annual Orange Summit, themed “Smart Business, Smarter Future,” signalling a crucial strategic shift toward integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart systems into Ghana's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The event, held at The Palms by Eagles, celebrated the bank's deep commitment to nurturing future-ready businesses through its comprehensive Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Initiative (FYEI).

The Orange Summit, organised in collaboration with strategic partners, serves as the cornerstone of FYEI, which includes the Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Fund (FYEF) and Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF).

The summit brought together over 100 participants, including young business owners, investors, policymakers, and development partners.

Together, they shared insights on innovation, governance, and resilience, equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools to innovate, compete, and build resilient ventures in a rapidly digitising economy.

Speaking at the event, Nana Yaa Afriyie Ofori-Koree, Head of Partnerships, Sustainability and CSR at Fidelity Bank, reflected on the transformational impact of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund since its inception.

“OCIF is first a funding programme but more importantly, it’s a catalyst for transformation,” she said.

“Since its launch in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, the initiative has supported over 112 entrepreneurs across agribusiness, fashion, technology, and the creative industries.

"With a total fund size of GH¢14.3 million, the programme has disbursed GH¢22.3 million through its revolving mechanism, with GH¢7.1 million still actively working in the economy.

"Collectively, our entrepreneurs have created over 1,000 jobs, expanded production, and built sustainable businesses with visible results.”

Nana Yaa reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to expanding the FYEI. She also highlighted Fidelity’s women-focused entrepreneurship interventions with ACCION and the Coca-Cola Foundation, and ongoing collaborations with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, RVO, and other partners to scale OCIF’s impact through to 2030 and beyond.

The success of OCIF is a direct result of strong, sustained partnerships. H.E. Jeroen Verheul, the Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, reinforced this commitment.

“Our partnership with Fidelity Bank has grown into something deeply rooted in Ghanaian soil,” he remarked.

“We see ourselves as planting a seed that is cared for by Ghanaian institutions and people, and that will grow into a strong Ghanaian tree.”

He affirmed that the training, capacity building, and financing provided are crucial because global problems are too numerous for governments to solve alone; they require the decisive action of the private sector.

The event also celebrated outstanding achievements within the FYEI ecosystem, as 10 exceptional entrepreneurs were honoured with citations for excellence, resilience, and innovation.

One of the awardees, Gideon Dendzo, Founder and Team Lead of Giddins Ghana Ltd, shared a powerful testimony of transformation:

“OCIF believed in us, and that belief became the seed of transformation,” he said.

“We have created jobs, trained young women, expanded production, and taken Ghanaian-made products to the global market. This recognition reminds us that the model works, and with greater support, we can do even more.”

The 2025 Orange Summit featured engaging discussions on how AI and smart technologies can drive innovation, strengthen governance, improve financial literacy, and equip entrepreneurs to adapt to changing market realities, as shared by Edna Engmann, Head of Transformation Programs at Fidelity Bank.

Participants also gained insights into Ghana’s tax regime and how young businesses can structure operations for long-term financial health during the presentation by Dominic Naab from the Ghana Revenue Authority.

In line with Fidelity Bank’s commitment to sustainable enterprise growth, the Orange Summit continues to serve as a vital platform where insights, experiences, and solutions converge to empower Ghana’s next generation of business leaders.