United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has reinforced its position as one of the continent’s leading financial institutions after emerging Africa’s Bank of the Year 2025 at The Banker Awards, organised by The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times of London.
The recognition marks the third time in five years that UBA has won the prestigious continental title, underscoring the bank’s consistency in performance, innovation and strategic growth across Africa.
In addition to the top award, UBA secured nine country-level wins—Benin, Chad, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Zambia—bringing its total honours this year to ten. The wins highlight the bank’s extensive footprint and influence across West, Central and Southern Africa.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday at The Peninsula, London, where UBA UK Chief Executive Officer, Deji Adeyelure, received the awards on behalf of the Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba.
The Banker praised UBA’s exceptional performance across multiple regions, noting that the bank “continues to punch above its weight against larger African rivals.” It added that UBA secured more country awards than any other continent-wide competitor, reflecting the depth of its Pan-African operations.
The publication also commended the geographic diversity of UBA’s wins, spanning major regional blocs including ECOWAS, CEMAC and SADC, and described the victories in Benin and Mozambique as particularly noteworthy due to the competitiveness of those markets.
UBA’s strong financial showing was also a major factor in the accolades. In 2024, the Group posted a 46.8% growth in assets and a 6.1% increase in pre-tax profit, while recording an operating revenue rise of 87% and profit growth of 89% in West Africa during the first half of 2025.
The bank’s ongoing investment in digital transformation was highlighted, including the launch of its Advance Top-Up buy-now-pay-later service on the *919# USSD platform and the expansion of its AI-powered chatbot, Leo, which saw a 29% increase in transaction volume in H1 2025. In August, Leo became the first African banking chatbot to facilitate cross-border payments through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
Reacting to the awards, UBA Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, said the recognition validates the bank’s long-term strategy and commitment to delivering value across its markets.
“This honour reflects the strength of our Pan-African network, the trust of our customers, and the dedication of our people,” he said. “Winning Africa’s Bank of the Year for the third time in five years is a testament to disciplined execution, innovation and a deep understanding of the markets we serve.”
Alawuba added that the nine country awards demonstrate UBA’s impactful growth across the continent, reaffirming its commitment to financial inclusion and technology-driven banking solutions.
UBA remains one of Africa’s largest financial employers, with 25,000 staff and more than 45 million customers. The bank operates in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, offering retail, commercial and institutional banking services.
About The Author
