| Oliver Alawuba. |
The Group Managing Director of Africa’s
global banking brand, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Oliver Alawuba on Monday
said that amidst economic challenges and market dynamics, the bank, in 75 years
of its existence has demonstrated remarkable financial strength and resilience.
Speaking at the UBA’s 75th anniversary’s global press conference,
Alawuba said the bank’s splendid performance, especially within the last year,
is a testament to its robust fundamentals and sound strategic decisions.
“As we navigate through the ever-changing landscape, we remain
committed to creating value for our shareholders and capitalizing on emerging
opportunities in the market,” he said.
He stated further that innovation and digital transformation are at the heart
of UBA’s strategy for future growth and competitiveness, saying the bank would continue
to invest in innovative products, services, and digital platforms that enhance
customer experience and drive operational efficiency.
“Our commitment to Corporate
Social Responsibility is strong, with initiatives focused on education,
healthcare, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability; thus, making a
concrete impact on communities across Africa,” he added.
The
bank’s CEO said “Looking ahead, our vision is clear – to be the role model for
African Businesses. UBA is one bank, uniting Africa while connecting Africans
to the World and the World to Africa. Our primary focus is to be the payment
bank for Capital flows, trade and investments between Africa and the rest of
the world.
“We are committed to expanding our presence, seizing growth
opportunities, and delivering value to all stakeholders. Collaboration and
partnerships as exemplified by the $6bn SME funding agreement signed with the
African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will be instrumental in achieving our
strategic objectives.
“We are dedicated to deepening
relationships with customers, employees, regulators, and other stakeholders for
mutual benefit and long-term success.”
Alawuba
added that the milestone the bank has reached was not just a celebration of
longevity, but a testament to resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment
to excellence that have defined UBA’s journey over the decades.
“As we reflect on the significance of this epoch-making event, it
is important to acknowledge that UBA means different things to different
people. For some, UBA is a trusted financial partner; for others, UBA is a beacon
of stability and reliability, a development partner in various local
communities as well as a catalyst for African development.
“Since
its inception in 1949, UBA has evolved from a modest beginning in Lagos Island
to a global financial institution with a presence in 20 African countries and 4
global financial nerve centres (New York, London, Paris and Dubai).
“Today we have over 25,000
staff, over 35 million customers served through multiple channels – over
350,000 POS terminals, 2,000 ATM terminals, 1,000 Business Offices and 19.7
million Card Customers. The past 75 years have been marked by stability and
excellence, pillars upon which UBA’s legacy stands tall,” Alawuba
stated.
UBA’s
Group Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, said the bank operates across
four continents with presence in 20 African countries, United States of
America, France, United Kingdom and UAE.
In
addition, Akinyemi said over the past 75 years, UBA had exemplified stability,
reliability, and excellence in banking, achieving numerous milestones and
positively impacting the communities that it serves.
According
to him, the bank’s commitment to exceptional customer experience as well as its
financial strength and resilience over the years had been key to its success.
“Our robust performance, especially over the last couple of years,
underscores our sound strategies and commitment to operational excellence. UBA
remains an attractive investment opportunity as it continues to deliver
exceptional value to its shareholders.
“At UBA, innovation and digital transformation are at the heart of our future
growth as we remain committed to enhancing the experience of our customers
across all touchpoints while solidifying our position.
“We are committed to offering
value that enhances the experience of our customers, while solidifying our
position as a forward-thinking institution,” he said.