UBA Launches Climate Action Week Across Africa for Green Finance

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has launched a Group-wide Climate Action Week, running from 26 to 30 October 2026 under the theme ‘Banking on Africa’s Climate Future’. The five-day campaign aims to deepen climate awareness, promote responsible environmental practices and advance sustainable finance across the bank’s African and international operations.

The week turns a bank’s sustainability strategy into visible, everyday action: waste sorting in its own offices, climate education for customers and staff, and financing for businesses that invest in cleaner ways of working.

What the week involves

The initiative began 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, according to reports of the launch.

Throughout the week, UBA is sharing educational content across its media and digital platforms on the causes and consequences of climate change, including its impact on food prices, energy consumption and urban flooding. The campaign also promotes responsible plastic disposal and recycling, and the role of financial institutions in financing clean energy, sustainable agriculture and other environmentally responsible businesses.

Words from the bank’s chief

UBA Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Oliver Alawuba said climate change was shaping everyday life across Africa. ‘Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is increasingly shaping everyday life across Africa,’ he said, pointing to rising food costs, increased energy demand and flooding that disrupts homes, businesses and livelihoods.

On green finance, he said: ‘Through UBA Green Finance, we seek to support eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations.’

Clean-up day and Lagos session

As part of the campaign’s community engagement, UBA staff volunteers will take part in a Group-wide clean-up exercise on Saturday, 7 November, in major cities across its markets. In Nigeria, the exercise will take place in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

UBA will also sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on Friday, 30 October, where the bank will deliver a speaking session and take part in a panel discussion, showcasing UBA Green Finance and exploring how financial institutions can support Africa’s transition to a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.

Building sustainability expertise

UBA is set to join the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN), a move expected to deepen the bank’s environmental, social and governance expertise and support staff professional development in sustainability.

The Climate Action Week forms part of UBA’s broader sustainability strategy, which integrates environmental responsibility into its Customer First philosophy through responsible business practices, employee engagement, community initiatives and green finance.

Key facts

• UBA’s Group-wide Climate Action Week runs from 26 to 30 October 2026, themed ‘Banking on Africa’s Climate Future’.
• The campaign began with waste segregation bins across UBA offices and steps to cut single-use plastics at head offices.
• Educational content covers climate causes and consequences, including food prices, energy use and urban flooding.
• A Group-wide staff clean-up takes place on Saturday, 7 November, including Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt in Nigeria.
• UBA sponsors Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on Friday, 30 October, with a speaking session and panel discussion.
• UBA has about 25,000 employees and more than 45 million customers, operating in 20 African countries plus the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UBA’s Climate Action Week?

A five-day Group-wide campaign from 26 to 30 October 2026 to deepen climate awareness, promote responsible environmental practices and advance sustainable finance across UBA’s operations.

What practical steps did the week start with?

Waste segregation bins across UBA offices and measures to reduce single-use plastics at the bank’s head offices.

What will the educational content cover?

The causes and consequences of climate change, including food prices, energy consumption and urban flooding, plus responsible plastic disposal, recycling and the financing of clean energy and sustainable agriculture.

What happens on 7 November?

UBA staff volunteers take part in a Group-wide clean-up in major cities, including Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt in Nigeria.

What is UBA Green Finance?

According to UBA, it supports eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations, helping build a more resilient private sector across Africa.

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