UBA launches climate action week to advance green finance and sustainability across Africa

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has launched Climate Action Week in an effort to deepen awareness of climate change, encourage responsible environmental practices and advance sustainable finance across its African and international operations.

The five-day campaign, running from 26 to 30 October 2026, with the theme “Banking for Africa’s Climate Future” is targeted at integrating environmental responsibility into bank operations, customer engagement and financing solutions.

The initiative began with the placement of waste segregation stations across UBA offices and measures to reduce the use of single-use plastic at the bank’s head office.

Throughout this week, UBA will deploy educational content across media and digital platforms to highlight the causes and consequences of climate change, including its impact on food prices, energy consumption and urban flooding. The campaign will also promote responsible plastic disposal, recycling, and the important role of financial institutions in funding clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and other environmentally responsible businesses.

As part of the community engagement component of the campaign, UBA volunteer staff will participate in a Group-wide clean-up exercise on Saturday, November 7, in major cities across its markets. In Nigeria, the exercise will take place in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, mobilizing employees to contribute directly to cleaner and healthier communities.

UBA Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the growing impacts of climate change.

“Climate change is no longer an environmental issue; it is increasingly affecting daily life across Africa. We see its impacts in rising food prices, increased energy demand, and floods that disrupt homes, businesses, and livelihoods.

“At UBA, we believe that building a sustainable future requires collective action, starting with the choices we make at work, at home, and in our communities. Through this Climate Action Week, we encourage every member of the UBA Tribe, along with customers and other stakeholders, to adopt practical and sustainable habits and inspire others to do the same,” said Alawuba.

As part of its stakeholder engagement activities, UBA said it will sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos, where the bank will deliver keynote sessions and participate in panel discussions. This engagement will, among other things, explore how financial institutions can support Africa’s transition towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.

Alawuba noted that climate considerations are increasingly important for business resilience, risk management and long-term economic growth.

“Climate change poses significant risks to the business world, society and the economy. These risks can affect business continuity, operational costs and financial performance, making sustainability an increasingly important consideration for both the business world and the financial institutions that support them.

“Through UBA Green Finance, we seek to support eligible companies to invest in cleaner technology and more sustainable operations. By helping customers find financing solutions that suit their needs, we can contribute to a more resilient private sector while opening up opportunities for sustainable economic growth across Africa,” Alawuba further said.

As a further step in strengthening its sustainability capabilities, UBA will join forces with the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN). This step is expected to deepen the World Bank’s expertise in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) field and support the ongoing professional development of its employees in disciplines related to sustainability.