United Bank for Africa Plc has secured two of Nigeria’s highest banking honours after being named Nigeria’s Best Bank for ESG and Nigeria’s Best Bank for Retail Banking at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable finance and customer-focused banking across Africa.
The awards were presented on Thursday, 17 July 2026, at The Peninsula London in the United Kingdom, where Euromoney recognised financial institutions demonstrating outstanding performance, innovation, customer impact and sustainable business practices.
Also read: GTBank wins Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank 2026
The UBA 2026 Euromoney Awards recognition reflects the bank’s continued investment in environmental, social and governance initiatives alongside rapid expansion of its retail banking franchise.
According to Euromoney, UBA stood out for launching a Green Financing Facility to help households and businesses transition to renewable energy.
The publication also cited the bank’s ₦5 billion financing programme with the Bank of Industry to support women-owned businesses and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The bank has also expanded sustainability within its operations by deploying solar-powered energy solutions across 50 branches and providing ESG training to more than 16,000 employees across the group.
In retail banking, Euromoney highlighted UBA’s continued growth, with its customer base surpassing 37 million by the end of 2025.
Retail revenue also increased more than fourfold to ₦429.5 billion, reflecting strong demand for the bank’s products and digital services.
Another standout achievement was the continued enhancement of LEO, UBA’s award-winning artificial intelligence chatbot.
The platform became Africa’s first AI-powered banking assistant to facilitate cross-border money transfers in local currencies through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), strengthening seamless payments across the continent.
Commenting on the awards, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Oliver Alawuba described the recognition as a powerful endorsement of the bank’s long-term strategy.
“To be recognised as Nigeria’s Best Bank for both ESG and Retail Banking in the same year sends a powerful message that sustainable banking and commercial success are mutually reinforcing.
“At UBA, we are committed to financing Africa’s future, supporting businesses and communities, promoting financial inclusion, and delivering innovative banking solutions that improve lives. These awards belong to our customers for their confidence in us and to every member of the UBA family whose dedication continues to make our vision a reality.”
Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the awards reflected the bank’s unwavering focus on customers.
“These awards are a powerful affirmation of our Customer First philosophy. Every innovation we introduce, every solution we develop and every investment we make is driven by our desire to create exceptional value for our customers.”
She added that UBA remains committed to expanding financial inclusion, supporting entrepreneurs, promoting clean energy financing and delivering innovative banking solutions that create meaningful impact across Africa.
The latest accolades add to UBA’s growing international recognition and come as the bank continues to strengthen its footprint across the continent.
With operations in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA now serves more than 45 million customers through its expanding network and technology-driven banking services.
The recognition also reflects a broader industry shift towards sustainable finance and digital transformation, with banks increasingly assessed not only on financial performance but also on their environmental impact, innovation and contribution to inclusive economic growth.
Also read: GTBank wins Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank 2026
UBA’s latest achievements position the institution among Africa’s leading financial services brands as competition in the banking sector continues to intensify.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
