IOM, Fidelity Bank Ghana Partner to Boost Financial Literacy for Returnees

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ghana and Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd. have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the socioeconomic reintegration of Ghanaian returnees through targeted financial literacy and inclusion initiatives.

The collaboration was sealed with the signing of a contribution agreement on February 10, 2026, in Accra, underscoring a shared commitment to equipping returnees with practical financial skills to foster sustainable reintegration and long-term economic resilience. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the role financial knowledge plays in ensuring that returnees can rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Under the partnership, which will be implemented through IOM’s Empowering Ghanaian Returnees with Financial Literacy Skills initiative, Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd. will provide training for 500 returnees across the Bono, Bono East, Ashanti and Greater Accra regions. The programme will focus on key business and financial management competencies, including budgeting, remittance management and basic business finance, all designed to support sustainable livelihoods.

“Reintegration isn’t an end point; it’s a new beginning,” said Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission for IOM Ghana, Togo and Benin. “We are excited to collaborate with private sector partners like Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd. to unlock opportunities that empower returnees and their communities to not only recover but thrive. By equipping individuals with the right financial tools, we are investing in sustainable development at the community level.”

The initiative addresses a critical gap in support for migrants returning to Ghana, many of whom come back with limited financial resources and face social stigma. Since 2017, more than 7,000 Ghanaians stranded along dangerous migration routes have returned home with support from IOM’s Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme. Experts have consistently identified financial literacy as a crucial determinant of successful reintegration, enabling returnees to navigate employment opportunities, entrepreneurial ventures and family responsibilities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Julian Kingsley Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd., highlighted the importance of inclusive financial education in driving economic growth. “At Fidelity, we have consistently taken banking services closer to communities, ensuring that language and accessibility are never barriers to financial understanding,” he stated. “This partnership with IOM affirms our grassroots approach. We are proud to offer returnees the practical financial knowledge required to rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.”

For IOM, the collaboration represents a strong example of how partnerships with the private sector can enhance support systems for vulnerable populations, complementing efforts by governments and international organizations. It also demonstrates the increasing role of financial institutions in advancing social impact initiatives beyond traditional banking services.

The agreement forms part of IOM’s broader Empowering Ghanaian Returnees with Financial Literacy Skills initiative, supported by the European Union through the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA). The programme continues to play a vital role in addressing migration challenges while promoting sustainable reintegration outcomes across the region.

For further information, stakeholders may contact Angela Bortey, National Communications Officer at IOM Ghana, via abortey@iom.int, or Esi Mills-Robertson, Director of Marketing at Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd., via emills-robertson@myfidelitybank.net.