United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has launched a group-wide Climate Action Week to promote environmental awareness, responsible waste management and sustainable finance across its African and international operations.
The five-day campaign, running from October 26 to 30, 2026, is themed “Banking on Africa’s Climate Future” and reflects the bank’s commitment to incorporating environmental responsibility into its operations, customer engagement and financing solutions.
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The initiative began with the deployment of waste segregation bins across UBA offices and measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics at its head offices.
Through the campaign, the financial institution aims to translate sustainability commitments into practical actions within its workplaces and the wider communities in which it operates.
Throughout the week, UBA will share educational content across its media and digital platforms to explain the causes and consequences of climate change, including its effects on food prices, energy consumption and urban flooding.
The campaign will also promote responsible plastic disposal, recycling and the role of financial institutions in financing clean energy, sustainable agriculture and other environmentally responsible businesses.
As part of its community engagement activities, UBA staff volunteers will participate in a group-wide clean-up exercise on Saturday, November 7, in major cities across its markets.
In Nigeria, the exercise will take place in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, with employees expected to contribute to cleaner and healthier communities.
UBA Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said collective responsibility was essential to addressing the growing effects of climate change.
“Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is increasingly shaping everyday life across Africa. We see its effects in rising food costs, increased energy demand and flooding that disrupts homes, businesses and livelihoods,” Alawuba said.
He added that building a sustainable future required practical action at work, at home and within communities.
Through the initiative, the bank is encouraging employees, customers and other stakeholders to adopt sustainable habits and inspire others to follow suit.
UBA will also sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on Friday, October 30, where it will deliver a speaking session and participate in a panel discussion.
The engagement will provide an opportunity for the bank to showcase its UBA Green Finance offering, highlight its sustainability initiatives and discuss how financial institutions can support Africa’s transition to a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.
Alawuba said climate considerations were becoming increasingly important to business resilience, risk management and long-term economic growth.
According to him, climate-related risks can affect business continuity, operating costs and financial performance, making sustainability an important consideration for companies and the financial institutions that support them.
“Through UBA Green Finance, we seek to support eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations,” he said.
He explained that helping customers explore financing solutions suited to their needs could strengthen the private sector’s resilience while creating opportunities for sustainable economic growth across Africa.
In another step towards strengthening its sustainability capabilities, UBA is set to join the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN).
The move is expected to deepen the bank’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) expertise and support the professional development of employees in sustainability-related fields.
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.
By combining awareness campaigns, practical environmental activities and financing solutions, the bank aims to encourage sustainable choices while helping businesses and communities navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with climate change.
United Bank for Africa is one of Africa’s leading financial institutions and a major employer in the continent’s financial sector, with approximately 25,000 employees and more than 45 million customers globally.
The bank operates in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates. It provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, with a focus on advancing financial inclusion and using technology to deliver innovative financial solutions.
Also read: Court hands UBA major victory in ₦156bn debt recovery case against Stallion Group
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
