The global African bank United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to the continent's sustainable growth and economic transformation by officially launching its groundbreaking white paper entitled “Betting on Africa's future: unlocking capital and partnerships for sustainable growth”.
The White Paper, presented on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington on Thursday, sets out a comprehensive roadmap for accelerating Africa's progress through innovative financial solutions, policy reforms and strategic partnerships, placing African economic priorities at the centre of international financial discussions.
The document proposes a detailed and workable plan, designed to seize the continent's enormous economic opportunities, examining key areas of growth such as trade facilitation, infrastructure development, digital innovation, climate finance and inclusive growth.
By advocating the integration of domestic capital with strategic global alliances, the white paper aims to unlock around 4 trillion dollars in African financial assets, including 2.5 trillion dollars in commercial banking assets and more than 1.1 trillion dollars in long-term institutional capital, while tapping the 3.4 trillion dollar potential of the single market of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
For Africa, this report represents a crucial step forward in financial infrastructure and economic empowerment. It addresses persistent challenges such as limited access to capital and underdeveloped partnerships, proposing solutions capable of accelerating sustainable development across the continent.
UBA Group chairman Tony Elumelu presented a bold vision for the continent's future at the launch: “Africa stands at a transformational crossroads, rich in resilience, creativity and untapped potential. With this white paper, UBA champions Africapitalism, empowering our private sector to drive sustainable growth that brings prosperity and social wealth.”
Elumelu, also an advocate of the concept of Africanism, added that, by focusing on inclusive growth and digital innovation, the report aims to improve the financial inclusion of millions of people, strengthen infrastructure projects and boost climate-resilient initiatives, ultimately promoting job creation, poverty reduction and regional integration under the AfCFTA.
Against the backdrop of global finance, the publication also underlines Africa's growing relevance as a key player in the world economy, inviting international investors, institutions and policymakers to engage more deeply with African markets, and to recognise the mutually beneficial opportunities of capital flows and collaboration.
According to Elumelu, this movement will help redefine global investment strategies, stimulating a shift towards emerging markets and encouraging diversified portfolios that include African assets, thereby contributing to more balanced global economic growth.
Elumelu also stressed:
“To investors across Africa and the world: join us in mobilising our domestic capital of 4 trillion dollars, together with strategic partnerships, to create opportunities, reduce investment risks and build a self-determined future. The era of action is coming; let us seize it together for Africa's economic sovereignty.”
The Group Managing Director and CEO of UBA, Oliver Alawuba, reinforced that the white paper redefines development finance, moving from dependence on aid to investment pathways grounded in African innovation.
“UBA, with its deep local knowledge and global reach, is uniquely positioned to unlock capital flows and foster collaborations that turn challenges into opportunities. We call on financial leaders around the world: partner with us to implement agile solutions, from digital platforms to blended finance, and co-create resilient growth that benefits millions of people. Africa's hour is now; commit today to being part of this transformative journey,” he declared.
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the continent's financial sector, with 25,000 employees across the group and more than 45 million customers worldwide. It operates in twenty African countries, as well as in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, offering retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and investing in cutting-edge technology.
