United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced plans to launch a major whitepaper designed to accelerate Africa’s economic development through improved financial systems, strategic partnerships, and sustainable growth initiatives.
In a statement on Wednesday, the bank said the publication, titled “Banking on Africa’s Future: Unlocking Capital and Partnerships for Sustainable Growth,” will be unveiled during the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings holding in October 2025 in Washington, D.C.
According to UBA, the document provides a detailed roadmap for transforming Africa’s vast economic opportunities into tangible results. It highlights how the continent can better leverage its natural resources, youthful population, and digital transformation to drive inclusive growth.
The whitepaper identifies key focus areas such as trade facilitation, infrastructure development, digital innovation, climate finance, and inclusive economic policies. It also proposes practical strategies for mobilising domestic capital and attracting foreign partnerships to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which presents a $3.4 trillion single market opportunity for member nations.
UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, said the initiative reflects the bank’s long-standing commitment to turning Africa’s development agenda from talk into measurable action.
“UBA is shifting Africa’s development agenda from talk to action,” Elumelu stated. “With this whitepaper, we are championing initiatives that convert strategic dialogue into bankable projects and direct investments. Our commitment to execute these plans for the benefit of the continent and its people cannot be overemphasised.
“We are committed partners in Africa’s development and sustainability and will continue to provide the capital, the platform, and the network needed to transform Africa’s vast potential into economic growth,” he added.
Elumelu, who is also the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, said the whitepaper would help connect public and private stakeholders in solving long-term development challenges such as access to energy, industrialisation, and intra-African trade.
UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, described the whitepaper as a “call to action” for African governments, investors, and financial institutions to prioritise collaboration over competition.
“This whitepaper is a call to action and a statement of our capability,” Alawuba said. “It underlines our unique position in facilitating the partnerships and capital flows required to finance Africa’s future, providing the blueprint for action. The document delivers critical insights at a defining moment for Africa’s financial infrastructure.”
Alawuba added that the publication aims to inspire a shift in mindset toward long-term investments that create jobs, expand access to credit, and foster digital inclusion.
UBA said the whitepaper’s recommendations would align with ongoing reforms and global sustainability goals, including green energy transition, financial inclusion for women and youth, and building resilience against climate risks.
The bank also noted that its global presence allows it to play a central role in connecting Africa to international financial markets. UBA currently operates in 20 African countries and also maintains offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates.
Industry analysts say the move positions UBA as one of the few African financial institutions driving thought leadership on sustainable growth and private sector development. The whitepaper is expected to serve as a reference document for policymakers, investors, and development partners looking to deepen collaboration across Africa’s emerging markets.
With African economies facing challenges such as limited access to capital, weak infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change, experts believe initiatives like UBA’s whitepaper could help shape a new model for inclusive growth driven by innovation, trade, and investment.
