Elumelu promised and did it, says Malian President as UBA sets sail in 20th African country

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc on Monday commenced full banking operations in Mali, extending its footprint 20 African countries.

The bank, which also has global operations in the United States, United Kingdom, and France, had Ibrahim Keita, President of the Republic of Mali, at its latest launch in Bamako.

“Tony promised it and he did it,” the president said while speaking at the opening ceremony — referring to UBA Group’s chairman, Tony Elumelu, who had promised to bring the bank to Mali, years ago.

Keita also called on “African financial institutions to follow the developmental philosophy of the bank and its chairman in growing infrastructure, deepening financial inclusion and being catalysts for eradicating poverty in Africa”.

In his response, Elumelu said, “UBA is Africa’s global bank, a leading pan-African brand, committed to democratising banking on the continent”.

“We are progressive partners for African corporates, institutions and governments whilst also helping to fulfil the financial aspirations of individual customers. Our train has finally arrived in Mali. We are here for mutual progress; we are here for shared prosperity,” he said.

Kennedy Uzoka, the group managing director, UBA Plc, expressed his enthusiasm on the group’s operation in Mali.

“We are in Mali to offer world class financial services that will surpass the expectations of our customers. I assure you that UBA is poised to deliver excellent services to the entire population of Mali,” he said.

 Alhassane Sissoko, CEO, UBA Mali, told customers that the Bank is optimistic about the competitiveness of its franchise in Mali with strong potentials for accelerated market share gain over the near to medium term.

“The advent of UBA in Mali marks a turning point in the history of the Malian banking sector with new opportunities for businesses and individuals.  We will always have in mind, the progress of our customers,” Sissoko said.

The event ended with President Keita wishing UBA well as he cut the ribbon to open the doors to the newest Bank in Mali.

“I wish UBA Mali a very good banking life and that their entrance into Mali will expand our banking sector even more,” he said.

Also present at the launch were Soumeilou Maiga, the prime minister of Mali; Adama Sangare, the Mayor of Bamako;Boubou Cisse, the minister of economy and finance; Harouna Touré, the minister of digital economy and communications, and many other dignitaries.

UBA was incorporated in Nigeria as a limited liability company after taking over the assets of the British and French Bank Limited who had been operating in Nigeria since 1949.

The United Bank for Africa merged with Standard Trust Bank in 2005 and from a single country operation founded in 1949 in Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy – UBA has become one of the leading providers of banking and other financial services on the African continent.

The Bank provides services to over 15 million customers globally, through one of the most diverse service channels in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 1,000 branches, customer touch points and robust online and mobile banking platforms.