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

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has launched a group-wide Climate Action Week in efforts to deepen climate awareness, promote responsible environmental practices and advance sustainable finance across its African and international operations.

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

The initiative commenced with the deployment of waste segregation bins across UBA offices and measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics at the bank’s head offices.

Throughout the week, UBA will disseminate educational content across its 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 critical role of financial institutions in financing clean energy, sustainable agriculture and other environmentally responsible businesses.

As part of the campaign’s community engagement component, UBA staff volunteers 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, mobilising employees to contribute directly to cleaner and healthier communities.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the growing impact of climate change.

“Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is increasingly shaping everyday life across Africa. We see its effects in rising food costs, increased energy demand and flooding that disrupts homes, businesses and livelihoods.

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

As part of its stakeholder engagement activities, UBA said it will sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos, where the bank will deliver a speaking session and participate in a panel discussion. The engagement will among others, explore how financial institutions can support Africa’s transition to a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.

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

“Climate change presents significant risks to businesses, communities and economies. These risks can affect business continuity, operating costs and financial performance, making sustainability an increasingly important consideration for both businesses and the financial institutions that support them.

“Through UBA Green Finance, we seek to support eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations. By helping customers explore financing solutions aligned with their needs, we can contribute to a more resilient private sector while unlocking opportunities for sustainable economic growth across Africa,” Alawuba further said.

In a further step towards strengthening its sustainability capabilities, UBA is set to join the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN). The move is expected to deepen the Bank’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) expertise and support the continued professional development of its employees in sustainability-related disciplines.