Fidelity Bank Launches HAP 2.0 to Deepen Women’s Entrepreneurship and Skills Development

Fidelity Bank Launches HAP 2.0 to Deepen Women’s Entrepreneurship and Skills Development

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women empowerment initiative, the Her Fidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0), aimed at equipping women with sustainable, income-generating skills and structured pathways into entrepreneurship.

The enhanced programme builds on the success of its inaugural edition in 2023 and is designed to deliver broader impact through strengthened partnerships and deeper mentorship support.

Speaking at a media briefing to herald the launch, the Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, said the bank refined the initiative following feedback from participants and stakeholders.

“HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 reflects our commitment to continuous improvement. Having evaluated feedback from the first edition, we have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programmes to ensure that women acquire not just skills, but sustainable economic opportunities,” he stated.

According to Ede, the programme focuses on guided, real-world learning, with participants undergoing intensive apprenticeship training under reputable institutions and industry experts across selected fields such as hair styling, shoe making, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration.

Beyond technical skills acquisition, HAP 2.0 integrates business advisory services to strengthen participants’ entrepreneurial capacity. These include business and financial literacy training, structured mentorship throughout the apprenticeship journey, access to the bank’s women-focused and SME financial solutions, as well as guidance on business formalisation and growth strategies.

Ede emphasised that the initiative is designed not only to train women but to empower them as future employers and economic drivers within their communities.

“By integrating structured mentorship with entrepreneurial development, Fidelity Bank is positioning women not just as trainees, but as future employers, innovators, and economic contributors within their communities. This aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper,” he added.

Interested participants have been encouraged to register their interest through the bank’s dedicated online portal.

Ranked among Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, Fidelity Bank serves over 10 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria, and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has received multiple local and international recognitions, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award at the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. It was also named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and Export Financing Bank of the Year at the BAFI Awards.