United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has launched a group-wide climate action campaign to promote sustainable business practices and expand
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has launched a group-wide climate action campaign to promote sustainable business practices and expand green financing as climate change increasingly threatens businesses, food security and economic growth across Africa.
The five-day Climate Action Week, running from October 26 to 30, 2026, is themed “Banking on Africa’s Climate Future” and seeks to integrate environmental responsibility into the lender’s operations, customer engagement and financing solutions.
The campaign began with the deployment of waste segregation bins across UBA offices and measures to reduce single-use plastics at its head offices, alongside plans to educate customers and stakeholders on climate risks and sustainable practices.
Oliver Alawuba, group managing director and chief executive officer of UBA, said climate change was increasingly affecting everyday economic activities through rising food costs, higher energy demand and flooding that disrupts homes, businesses, and livelihoods.
“Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is increasingly shaping everyday life across Africa,” Alawuba said.
He said the initiative would encourage employees, customers and other stakeholders to adopt sustainable habits at work, at home and within their communities.
Beyond awareness, the bank is positioning its green finance offering as a tool to support businesses investing in cleaner technologies and sustainable operations.
According to Alawuba, climate-related risks can affect business continuity, operating costs and financial performance, making sustainability increasingly important to companies and their lenders.
Through UBA Green Finance, the bank aims to provide financing solutions for eligible businesses seeking to improve environmental performance while strengthening private-sector resilience.
UBA will also sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on October 30, participating in a panel discussion and presenting its sustainability initiatives.
As part of its community engagement programme, employees will participate in clean-up exercises across major cities on November 7, including Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.
The bank is also preparing to join the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria to strengthen its environmental, social and governance expertise and develop employees’ sustainability skills.
UBA operates in 20 African countries and several international markets, serving more than 45 million customers globally. The climate initiative forms part of its broader strategy to embed environmental responsibility into its banking operations and financing activities.
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Chinwe Michael is a Nigerian business journalist and media professional with over 4 years of experience covering companies, financial markets, banking, fintech, economic policy, financial inclusion, and corporate affairs. She currently leads the Companies & Markets desk at BusinessDay, where she drives coverage of Nigeria’s corporate and capital markets, translates complex financial data into accessible stories, and mentors younger journalists. Prior to that, she was the head of the financial inclusion/fintech desk. With a background in banking and finance and extensive experience in media and communications, Michael has developed expertise in financial journalism, economic analysis, investigative reporting and market intelligence. Her work examines how monetary policy, corporate performance, capital flows, technology, and regulatory decisions affect businesses, investors, and households. She was selected from about 3,000 applicants as one of 20 journalists for Cohort 4 of the MTN Media Innovation Programme, gaining exposure to new approaches to journalism, technology, and media innovation. Her international journalism experience and engagement with professionals across Russia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and others in different sectors have further broadened her understanding of global communication and development.