United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has reached a significant financial milestone, with its total assets surpassing the N33.2 trillion mark in the 2025 financial year. This growth, which reflects a 9.4 per cent increase from the previous year’s N30.3 trillion, underscores the bank’s sustained momentum and the scalability of its pan-African operations.

The bank’s financial results also highlight a steady increase in customer confidence, with deposits growing by 11.8 per cent to reach N27.2 trillion, up from N24.3 trillion in 2024. Despite challenges such as foreign exchange-related losses and derivative fair value changes, the bank maintained a resilient core banking performance, with operating profit exceeding N1 trillion before accounting for these exceptional items.

A key driver of this success has been the bank’s diversified footprint across 20 African countries, as well as operations in the US, UK, France, and the UAE. These pan-African subsidiaries have proven to be vital, contributing over 50 per cent of total assets, revenue, and profit. Notably, West African operations saw a 53 per cent profit growth, while East and Southern African subsidiaries recorded an even higher increase of 61 per cent.

The bank also prioritized strengthening its capital position in 2025, largely in response to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new recapitalization requirements. The group successfully executed a rights issue that raised N395 billion in additional capital, which was oversubscribed. This has bolstered shareholders’ funds to N4.25 trillion and resulted in a strong capital adequacy ratio of 23.2 per cent.

Executive management has framed these results as a proactive move to clean up the balance sheet and prepare for long-term sustainability. By recognizing potential credit losses—evidenced by loan loss provisions of N331 billion—and navigating through macroeconomic normalization, the bank is positioning itself to avoid similar impacts in future financial cycles.

Looking ahead to 2026, UBA remains optimistic about accelerating growth. The Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, indicated that the bank plans to strategically expand its risk asset base across key sectors as the economic environment improves. Furthermore, the bank has intensified recovery efforts on delinquent exposures, which is expected to positively influence future earnings.

The bank’s performance reflects its strategic focus on maintaining a robust capital base and liquid assets, ensuring it remains well-positioned to support its international footprint. With core business fundamentals remaining strong and an improved capital structure, UBA continues to solidify its role as a leading financial institution driving economic progress across the African continent.