United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has been named the Best Regional Bank – West Africa at the African Banker Awards 2024.
The annual African Banker Awards, organized by African Banker Magazine, took place on Tuesday at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings.
Over 300 of the continent’s leading banking and finance figures attended the ceremony. UBA’s recognition as the Best Regional Bank – West Africa marks a significant milestone as the bank celebrates 75 years of delivering on its promises, solidifying its legacy as Africa’s Global Bank.
Mary Mulili, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Kenya, accepted the award on behalf of the bank. She emphasized the importance of this achievement in line with UBA’s commitment to its customers and partners.
We are honored to be recognized as the Best Regional Bank – West Africa. This award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovation of the entire UBA team. It reflects our commitment to excellence and our unwavering focus on delivering value to our customers. This award reinforces UBA’s position as a leading global financial institution with a deep understanding of the African market and a strong international network,” Mulili stated.
She added, “This award showcases our ability to serve as a bridge between Africa and the world, providing seamless financial solutions that drive growth and prosperity. As we celebrate 75 years of UBA, we remain committed to inspiring innovation, growth, and excellence. This award is not just recognition of our past achievements but a motivation to continue striving for greatness in the years to come.”
Omar Ben Yedder, Chair of the Awards Committee, noted that banks and financial institutions are undergoing an important transition and playing a critical role in financing growth, especially as international banks retreat from the continent.
“We are seeing a coalition of DFIs taking shape, requiring considerable capital increases to address gaps in infrastructure, trade, climate, and SME financing. We are also witnessing further reform and new capital requirements for banks. This will lead to bigger banks, and we have seen how UBA has played a role in financing large conglomerates and infrastructure projects, something unimaginable two decades ago,” he said.
