United Bank for Africa (UBA) - Mozambique has been honoured with the award for Best Social Responsibility Programme at the 2025 COMARP Awards, an event held as part of the COMARP Forum – Communication, Marketing and Public Relations Forum, the largest platform in Mozambique dedicated to professionals and organisations in the fields of communication, marketing and public relations. The event was held in partnership with the Southern Africa Community Marketing Association (SADCMA).
The recognition was awarded to UBA Mozambique for the impact of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme, an initiative that has transformed the lives of thousands of young entrepreneurs in Mozambique and across the African continent. The programme stands out for driving sustainable economic development through training, mentoring, seed funding and project follow-up. Thanks to this support, visionary young people have been able not only to launch their businesses, but also to generate jobs and energise local economies.
This award reaffirms UBA's continued commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation and investment in the future of young Africans, promoting lasting social impact and inclusive economic growth.
During the ceremony, the Managing Director of UBA Mozambique, Pedro Maranguene, stressed the importance of the award:
“This award does not belong only to UBA or to the Tony Elumelu Foundation. It belongs to all the young entrepreneurs who, with resilience, creativity and determination, are transforming Mozambique and the African continent. We will remain firm in our commitment to supporting and driving African potential.”
Maraguene also added that entrepreneurship is essential to the concept of Africapitalism, championed by UBA Group chairman Tony Elumelu, according to which the African private sector should play a leading role in the continent's development through long-term investments that create social and economic value. Since its inception, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered some 2.5 million young Africans through the TEFConnect digital platform, has allocated more than 100 million dollars in direct funding to more than 21,000 entrepreneurs, and has contributed to the creation of 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. It is estimated that, through these initiatives, more than 2 million Africans have been lifted out of poverty.
