“Trade relationships don’t run on goodwill alone. They need banking infrastructure that works across time zones, understands cultural nuances, and provides consistent, inclusive access to capital,” Taabavi emphasized, speaking to an audience of dignitaries, business leaders, and development partners from Ghana and China gathered at the Labadi Beach Hotel. His remarks addressed the growing need to move beyond diplomatic goodwill into pragmatic collaboration, and Fidelity Bank’s role in helping make that shift a reality.

Highlighting the bank’s track record in financing large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, Taabavi noted, “We are proud to have played a key role as a major syndicate partner in funding the Sentuo Oil Refinery: now Ghana’s largest privately-owned refinery. Our support for the Triton OCH pulp-to-paper conversion project and our long-standing engagements with the Sunda Group further illustrate our commitment to powering Ghana’s industrial ecosystem through cross-border collaboration.”

He revealed that the bank’s strategy goes beyond transactional support to building long-term financial infrastructure tailored to meet the needs of Ghana’s Asian business community. Fidelity has created a dedicated Local Corporate and Asian Business Desk within its Corporate and Institutional Banking Division, with Mandarin- and Hindi-speaking relationship managers providing culturally intelligent client engagement. In addition, the bank’s corporate internet banking platform now includes multilingual functionality, allowing, for instance, Mandarin-speaking clients to seamlessly complete transactions and access financial services.

“Finance is about trust and trust grows in understanding,” Taabavi stated. “Whether you’re a Ghanaian SME exporting cocoa nibs or a Chinese EPC contractor building in Tema, you deserve a banking partner that speaks your language, literally and operationally.”

As Ghana edges closer to realizing its 24-hour economy ambition, Fidelity Bank is developing solutions that match the speed and scale of modern business. From pre-approved credit lines for high-performing local corporates, to trade finance facilities for telecom distribution and solar imports, the bank is aligning capital deployment with strategic national priorities.

But Taabavi made clear that finance is just an aspect of it. “We must build solid systems, ones that support cross-border trade predictability, prioritize cold-chain logistics, and reward sustainability not just in principle but in pricing and access.” He announced Fidelity’s forthcoming initiatives, including deeper engagement with Chinese and Indian chambers of commerce, green finance products tailored for industrial clients, and the use of predictive analytics to expand financial inclusion for SMEs lacking traditional credit records.

“Local banks matter,” he declared. “Because we know the terrain, we know the players, and we are invested in the long-term success of Ghana.”

The summit offered a key moment to reaffirm Fidelity Bank’s distinctive role as a proudly Ghanaian institution with a global outlook, acting not just as a financier but as a partner in progress. “The 24-hour economy we envision is not just about staying open longer. It’s about building systems that work around the clock. Systems that enable a Ghanaian SME to ship to Guangzhou at midnight, and a Chinese manufacturer to settle payments in real-time,” Taabavi said in closing.

Fidelity Bank’s presence at the Ghana-China Business Summit signals more than participation; it represents purpose. “Ghana is ready. Fidelity Bank is ready. And with our friends from China, the opportunities are endless.”