UBA Deepens Pan-African Footprint, Upgrades France Licence to Boost Cross-Border Growth
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) is accelerating its pan-African ambitions with a bold strategy to expand into high-potential markets across the continent, while also strengthening its global presence, including the upgrade of its banking license in France.
This strategic move comes on the heels of the bank’s 2025 Half-Year Business Review, held recently at its global headquarters in Lagos. The review session, chaired by Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, brought together senior executives from UBA’s operations in 24 countries.
Key Highlights from UBA’s Expansion Plan
1. Pan-African Expansion Focus:
UBA is actively positioning itself in Africa’s emerging markets, aiming to unlock new business opportunities, support intra-African trade, and deepen market penetration in the 20 African countries where it currently operates.
2. Revenue Diversification Success:
Alawuba proudly revealed that over 51.7% of UBA’s revenues now originate from outside Nigeria, confirming the success of the bank’s diversification and regional expansion strategy.
3. Global Reach with African Roots:
With a presence already established in the UK, France, USA, and the UAE, UBA is now working to upgrade its licence in France. This upgrade will enhance its ability to facilitate cross-border trade, channel diaspora remittances, and strengthen investment flows between Africa and Europe.
Connecting Africa to the World
Since venturing beyond Nigeria in 2004 with its expansion into Ghana, UBA has become one of the few truly pan-African banks, operating across 20 African countries and four international financial centres.
According to Alawuba, UBA’s upcoming operations in Saudi Arabia, alongside its existing hub in New York, are part of a long-term plan to create a seamless global banking network that connects Africa to the world — and the world to Africa.
“Our mission is to build a global institution with African roots, capable of delivering world-class banking experiences wherever our clients choose to do business,” Alawuba stated.
This growth strategy reaffirms UBA’s role not only as a financial powerhouse but as a key player in facilitating Africa’s economic transformation.
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) is accelerating its pan-African ambitions with a bold strategy to expand into high-potential markets across the continent, while also strengthening its global presence, including the upgrade of its banking license in France.
This strategic move comes on the heels of the bank’s 2025 Half-Year Business Review, held recently at its global headquarters in Lagos. The review session, chaired by Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, brought together senior executives from UBA’s operations in 24 countries.
Key Highlights from UBA’s Expansion Plan
1. Pan-African Expansion Focus:
UBA is actively positioning itself in Africa’s emerging markets, aiming to unlock new business opportunities, support intra-African trade, and deepen market penetration in the 20 African countries where it currently operates.
2. Revenue Diversification Success:
Alawuba proudly revealed that over 51.7% of UBA’s revenues now originate from outside Nigeria, confirming the success of the bank’s diversification and regional expansion strategy.
3. Global Reach with African Roots:
With a presence already established in the UK, France, USA, and the UAE, UBA is now working to upgrade its licence in France. This upgrade will enhance its ability to facilitate cross-border trade, channel diaspora remittances, and strengthen investment flows between Africa and Europe.
Connecting Africa to the World
Since venturing beyond Nigeria in 2004 with its expansion into Ghana, UBA has become one of the few truly pan-African banks, operating across 20 African countries and four international financial centres.
According to Alawuba, UBA’s upcoming operations in Saudi Arabia, alongside its existing hub in New York, are part of a long-term plan to create a seamless global banking network that connects Africa to the world — and the world to Africa.
“Our mission is to build a global institution with African roots, capable of delivering world-class banking experiences wherever our clients choose to do business,” Alawuba stated.
This growth strategy reaffirms UBA’s role not only as a financial powerhouse but as a key player in facilitating Africa’s economic transformation.