UBA Marks 75th Anniversary with Special Business Series to Empower SMEs

 

As part of the activities to commemorate its 75th anniversary, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, held a special edition of its quarterly Business Series to promote business sustainability, particularly for its customers running Medium and Small-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

The event took place on Thursday at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheater in UBA House, under the theme "Built to Last: Building Generational Businesses." It featured veteran business leaders and CEOs who shared insights on how SMEs can establish profitable ventures that endure over time.

Prominent speakers included Atunyota Ali Akpobome (Ali Baba), a veteran stand-up comedian and CEO of XQZMOI Television; Kelechi Amadi-Obi, a creative photographer; Omotolani Tayo-Osikoya (Chef T), CEO of Diaryofakitchenlover; and Flora Mutahi, CEO of Melvin Marsh International Ltd from Kenya. They emphasized the importance of passion, creativity, and adaptability in maintaining business relevance.

Ali Baba highlighted the necessity of creativity and dynamism, stating, "As a business owner, you need to come up with ways to ensure that you stay on top of your game and remain relevant." Chef T encouraged SMEs to differentiate themselves, saying, "You need to figure out your differentiating factor... know what your customers expect and find a way to achieve that."

Kelechi Amadi-Obi spoke about the significance of impact and evolution in business: “My goal has always been to make an impact, first for myself and then for the client, because your product is a function of your creativity.” Meanwhile, Flora Mutahi, joining virtually from Kenya, underscored the importance of persistence in building a brand that endures, highlighting Africa's vast entrepreneurial potential.

Shamsideen Fashola, UBA’s Group Head of Retail and Digital Banking, appreciated the professionals for their insights, reaffirming UBA's commitment to empowering businesses. “At UBA, it is not just about banking; we are also passionate about helping our customers grow thriving businesses," he said.

The UBA Business Series is a regular initiative by the bank aimed at capacity building, where top business leaders share insights on best practices for navigating business challenges. 

UBA, one of Africa's largest employers in the financial sector, operates across 20 African countries, the UK, USA, France, and UAE, serving over 45 million customers worldwide with cutting-edge financial services and innovative technology solutions.