United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has introduced a diaspora banking and investment platform to serve Africans living and working worldwide, as well as within the continent.
This platform, developed in partnership with leading ecosystem players. Such as United Capital, Africa Prudential, UBA Pensions, Afriland Properties, Heirs Insurance Group, and Avon Healthcare Limited. Marks a significant shift in diaspora banking. It moves beyond remittances to focus on structured wealth creation and long-term investment opportunities.
The unveiling event, held at UBA’s global headquarters in Lagos, was themed “Beyond Banking: Powering the Global African Lifestyle.” Representatives from UBA and its partners showcased a seamless platform. Designed to address remittances, wealth creation, financial protection, and long-term prosperity.
Head of Diaspora Banking, Described the Initiative
Anant Rao, UBA’s Head of Diaspora Banking, described the initiative as a transformative approach to engaging Africa’s global citizens. “For years, Africa’s interaction with its diaspora centered on remittances. Today, we are taking a step further. This platform transitions from simple money transfers to a comprehensive financial ecosystem. Africans worldwide can now bank, make payments, invest, protect their families, and build long-term wealth effortlessly,” Rao explained.
He highlighted that African diaspora remittance flows exceed $100 billion annually. Making them a vital and consistent source of capital for the continent. “Diaspora capital is more than just funds; it’s a strategic growth driver for Africa. Our goal is to provide a trusted platform that transforms this capital into structured investments and shared prosperity,” he added.
What the Platform Does
The platform integrates various financial services tailored to the needs of the Global African. Including banking, payments, investments, securities, asset management, insurance, pensions, and real estate. Through this unified ecosystem, diaspora customers can access solutions across multiple sectors via a single, reliable platform, enabling them to manage their finances and family commitments across borders with ease and transparency.
Alero Ladipo, UBA’s Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, emphasized the importance of collaboration in delivering a seamless diaspora experience. “The modern African is a global citizen—mobile, ambitious, and deeply connected to home. Whether in Africa, Europe, the Americas, or the Middle East, there must be a secure financial connection back home. This platform ensures Africans everywhere can stay economically connected to the continent with confidence and transparency,” she said.
Ecosystem partners highlighted the growing demand among diaspora Africans. For structured investment opportunities, secure property ownership, insurance protection, and long-term financial planning. United Capital presented globally accessible investment products designed for transparent wealth creation. Afriland Properties showcased well-governed real estate investment options for diaspora clients. Heirs Insurance offered life and asset protection solutions, while Avon Healthcare Limited demonstrated healthcare access and insurance for families across borders. Africa Prudential and UBA Pensions introduced digital investment management and pension savings solutions to support diaspora participation in African capital markets.
The partners collectively reaffirmed their commitment to providing diaspora Africans with credible, transparent, and professionally managed financial pathways.
Rao also reiterated UBA’s guiding philosophy of Africapitalism, championed by its Founder and Chairman, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CFR. Africapitalism advocates for Africa’s private sector to lead the continent’s development by making long-term investments that deliver both economic returns and social impact.
As Africa positions itself as a dynamic growth frontier, UBA believes mobilizing diaspora capital through trusted financial institutions will be key to driving the continent’s next phase of development. “Africa’s future will increasingly be financed by Africans, including those abroad,” Rao stated. “Our role is to build the trusted financial infrastructure to make this possible.”
“When Africa’s global citizens invest back into the continent, growth becomes inevitable,” he concluded
