UBA Partners BOI to Empower Female Entrepreneurs, Drive Financial Inclusion

Oluchi Chibuzor

Africa’s global bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has secured a N5 billion loan facility from the Bank of Industry (BOI), to boost key sectors of the economy and support the growth of sustainable and viable businesses in the country, especially the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owned by women.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, who spoke about the facility emphasised the bank’s commitment to fostering economic growth by empowering MSMEs, which he described as the livewire of any developing economy.

He said, “At UBA, we recognize the pivotal role MSMEs play in driving economic development, and how they make up a sizeable portion of what drives our economic growth. It is in this vein that we have decided not to rest on our oars by facilitating initiatives dedicated to empowering businesses with the financial support they need to thrive.”

Alawuba maintained that, “by offering loans at a competitive 9% interest rate with a three-year tenor, we are removing the traditional barriers that hinder SME growth in Nigeria and Africa. And by this, our message to business owners is simple: Don’t let this once-in-a lifetime-opportunity elude you,” 

UBA’s Group Head of Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola who highlighted the strategic importance of the targeted sectors to the nation’s continued growth, noted that the initiative will strengthen financial inclusion and set the country and indeed the continent on the path of sustainable development. 

“We are structuring this facility to align with our broader mission of financial inclusion and economic empowerment. For us at UBA, we will be targeting Green Energy, Education, Healthcare, and Women-Owned Enterprises, which are critical to Nigeria’s sustainable development,” he noted.

Also speaking at the loan facility unveiling, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, took time to highlight the competitive interest rate and government backing as well as urge business owners, especially women to take advantage of the initiative.