United Bank for Africa (UBA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic global expansion with the announcement of a new office to be opened in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in its mission to connect Africa with key global markets.
The development was confirmed during the Group’s Half Year Business Review held at its global headquarters in Lagos, where Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, met with senior executives overseeing UBA’s 24-country footprint. The meeting reaffirmed the bank’s pan-African strategy while outlining bold new steps into global markets.
Alawuba highlighted UBA’s continued growth outside Nigeria, with more than 51.7% of Group revenues now generated from its ex-Nigerian operations. He described the Saudi expansion as a move that positions UBA to support cross-border trade, attract investment flows, and better serve the African diaspora.
“UBA’s vision is clear—we are building a truly global institution anchored in Africa, but serving customers across continents. Our entry into Saudi Arabia signals confidence in new opportunities and commitment to supporting economic connectivity between Africa and the Middle East,” he said.
The Saudi expansion adds to UBA’s international presence, which currently includes the United Kingdom, United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. Alawuba also disclosed that the bank is upgrading its operating licence in France to further strengthen its European operations.
“In Europe, UBA has operations in the United Kingdom and is upgrading its licence in France, expanding its capacity to serve cross-border trade, investment flows, and the African diaspora, complementing our over 40-year presence in New York,” Alawuba noted.
With the Saudi Arabia office and ongoing expansion efforts, UBA is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s economic transformation, delivering banking solutions that drive inclusive growth and global competitiveness.
