Fidelity Bank Ghana Hosts Orange Summit to Champion AI and Smart Business Solutions
Fidelity Bank Ghana recently held its annual Orange Summit, titled “Smart Business, Smarter Future,” marking a significant strategic move toward incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart systems into Ghana’s entrepreneurial environment. The event took place at The Palms by Eagles and showcased the bank’s dedication to fostering future-ready businesses through its comprehensive Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Initiative (FYEI).
The Orange Summit serves as the central pillar of FYEI, which encompasses the Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Fund (FYEF) and the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF). This initiative aims to support young entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and funding to help them build sustainable ventures in an increasingly digital economy.
Over 100 participants attended the summit, including young business owners, investors, policymakers, and development partners. Together, they engaged in discussions on innovation, governance, and resilience, providing valuable insights that equip young entrepreneurs with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
Nana Yaa Afriyie Ofori-Koree, Head of Partnerships, Sustainability and CSR at Fidelity Bank, highlighted the transformative impact of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund since its launch in 2021. “OCIF is first a funding programme but more importantly, it’s a catalyst for transformation,” she said. “Since its inception, 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 program has disbursed GH¢22.3 million through its revolving mechanism, with GH¢7.1 million still actively working in the economy. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have created over 1,000 jobs, expanded production, and built sustainable businesses with measurable results.
Nana Yaa also emphasized Fidelity Bank’s commitment to expanding FYEI. She highlighted women-focused entrepreneurship programs with ACCION and the Coca-Cola Foundation, as well as 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 attributed to 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 added that the training, capacity building, and financing provided are essential because global problems require the decisive action of the private sector. The event also celebrated outstanding achievements within the FYEI ecosystem, as 10 exceptional entrepreneurs were honored with citations for excellence, resilience, and innovation.
One of the awardees, Mr. 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. These insights were shared by Edna Engmann, Head of Transformation Programs at Fidelity Bank.
Participants also gained knowledge about Ghana’s tax regime and how young businesses can structure their operations for long-term financial health during a presentation by Mr. 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.