The newly appointed chief executive officer of UBA UK, Loknath Mishra, has unveiled an ambitious strategy to position the bank at the centre of efforts to close Africa’s estimated $100 billion trade finance deficit and deepen the continent’s cross-border trade connections with global markets.
Speaking during an interview on Global Business Report aired on Arise TV, Mishra said the initiative will leverage the pan-African network and international platform of United Bank for Africa to unlock capital flows, strengthen correspondent banking partnerships and enable African corporates and SMEs to access international markets.
He noted that while Africa is projected to record faster trade growth than many regions, limited access to financing—worsened by the withdrawal of several global banks from African markets—continues to constrain expansion. According to him, shifts in global supply chains are creating new opportunities for the continent, which is increasingly viewed as a strategic and reliable trading partner.
Mishra explained that the London-based subsidiary plays a critical role by providing hard-currency liquidity, structured trade finance and settlement services through one of the world’s most sophisticated financial systems. He added that UBA’s presence in 20 African countries enables seamless connections between buyers and sellers, while its UK arm ensures efficient foreign-currency settlement and international trade structuring.
Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Oliver Alawuba described Mishra’s appointment as a strong signal of the bank’s commitment to strengthening its global franchise and advancing Africa’s integration into the international economy.
Mishra stressed that success for UBA UK would not be judged solely by balance-sheet figures but by market confidence and perception. He said the real measure of achievement would be when African corporates and financial institutions regard UBA UK as their first choice for global transactions, and when international investors instinctively associate the UBA brand with Africa.
United Bank for Africa, one of the continent’s largest employers, has about 25,000 staff and serves more than 45 million customers worldwide. The bank operates across 20 African countries as well as in the United Kingdom, United States, France and United Arab Emirates, offering retail, commercial and institutional banking services while maintaining a strong reputation in financial inclusion and digital innovation.
