In a sunlit boardroom at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC’s global headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, the heartbeat of Africa’s banking innovation pulsed stronger than ever.
Mr. Oliver Alawuba, the group managing director/CEO, and a cadre of senior executives gathered to review half-year performance, but what emerged was more than a business update.
It was a renewed commitment to UBA’s pan-African dream and its bold ambitions to connect African markets with global opportunities.
As executives from UBA’s 24 operating countries convened, the message was clear: UBA is not just expanding; it’s transforming the financial services landscape across Africa and beyond.
From Ghana to Global: A Legacy of Continental Leadership
UBA’s journey as a pan-African powerhouse began in 2004 with expansion to Ghana. From there, the bank rapidly expanded into 18 more African markets, creating a financial bridge across the continent.
Today, UBA’s footprint spans 20 African countries, and its influence reaches far beyond, with thriving operations in the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
This international momentum is more than symbolic, it’s strategic. Over 51.7% of the Group’s revenue now comes from non-Nigerian operations, demonstrating the success of its diversified model and the growing strength of African economies.
“Our vision is crystal clear,” said Oliver Alawuba. “We are building a truly global bank rooted in Africa but serving clients across continents. Strategic expansion allows us to unlock new growth opportunities, support intra-African trade, and provide world-class banking wherever our customers do business.”
New Markets, New Momentum
Alawuba emphasized that UBA is eyeing key high-potential markets, not only to extend its reach but to deepen its presence in existing territories.
The goal?
To meet the evolving needs of Africa’s booming population and business landscape with innovative, tech-enabled banking solutions.
UBA’s recent announcement of plans to launch operations in Saudi Arabia is a testament to its outward-looking vision.
This expansion complements ongoing efforts to upgrade its banking license in France, enhancing its capacity to support cross-border trade, diaspora banking, and global investment flows.
With over 45 million customers and 25,000 employees worldwide, UBA continues to lead as one of Africa’s largest and most inclusive financial institutions.
Connecting Africa to the World – and the World to Africa
UBA’s international strategy isn’t just about physical presence. It’s about serving as a financial conduit between Africa and the global economy, facilitating investments, empowering diaspora communities, and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) vision.
“Our commitment to Africa is unwavering. But we also understand that our customers are global, and their ambitions are global,” Alawuba said. “From Lagos to London, Accra to Abu Dhabi, we are enabling prosperity by staying present where opportunity lives.”
Tech-Driven, Customer-Focused, Future-Ready
As UBA expands, it continues to invest in digital transformation, ensuring its retail, commercial, and institutional banking customers enjoy seamless, secure, and scalable services.
From mobile banking for rural communities to enterprise-grade platforms for multinationals, UBA is redefining financial inclusion through innovation.
The bank’s growth strategy is aligned with its core mission: to make banking accessible, efficient, and empowering for the entrepreneur in Nairobi, the trader in Dakar, the investor in Dubai, and the student in London.
