United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has unveiled a new diaspora banking and investment platform aimed at connecting Africans living abroad with structured financial and wealth-building opportunities across the continent.
The initiative, launched at UBA’s global headquarters in Marina, Lagos, is designed to move diaspora engagement beyond remittances and toward long-term investment, protection, and prosperity. The event, themed “Beyond Banking: Powering the Global African Lifestyle,” brought together senior executives and ecosystem partners to demonstrate the platform’s integrated capabilities.
From Remittances to Structured Wealth
Speaking at the unveiling, UBA’s Head of Diaspora Banking, Anant Rao, described the platform as a strategic evolution in Africa’s relationship with its global citizens.
“For decades, Africa’s engagement with its diaspora has centered on remittances. Today, we are shifting toward a comprehensive financial ecosystem where Africans globally can bank, invest, insure, and build long-term wealth seamlessly,” Rao said.
He noted that diaspora remittance inflows to Africa exceed $100 billion annually, describing them as one of the continent’s most stable sources of capital. According to him, the new platform aims to transform these inflows into structured investments that generate shared prosperity.
A Multi-Sector Financial Ecosystem
The platform was developed in collaboration with key partners, including United Capital Plc, Africa Prudential Plc, UBA Pension Custodian Limited, Afriland Properties Plc, Heirs Insurance Group, and Avon Healthcare Limited.
Through this coordinated network, diaspora customers can access services across banking and payments, asset management, securities services, insurance, pensions, and real estate — all within a unified and trusted framework.
Supporting the Global African
UBA’s Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, emphasized the need for secure and structured financial links between Africans abroad and their home countries.
“The modern African is a global citizen — mobile, ambitious, and deeply connected to home. This platform ensures that Africans everywhere can remain economically connected to the continent with confidence and transparency,” she said.
Partner institutions highlighted rising demand among diaspora Africans for professionally managed investment products, secure property ownership channels, insurance protection, healthcare coverage, and long-term retirement planning.
United Capital presented globally accessible investment solutions, while Afriland Properties detailed structured real estate pathways. Heirs Insurance and Avon Healthcare showcased protection and cross-border healthcare solutions, and Africa Prudential alongside UBA Pension outlined digital investment management and pension participation options.
Africapitalism at the Core
Rao reiterated that the initiative aligns with the philosophy of Africapitalism championed by UBA’s Founder and Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu. The concept advocates for private-sector-led development driven by long-term investments that generate both economic returns and social impact.
As Africa positions itself among the world’s fastest-growing regions, UBA believes mobilizing diaspora capital through credible financial institutions will play a critical role in the continent’s next growth phase.
“Africa will increasingly be financed by Africans, including those abroad,” Rao stated. “Our responsibility is to build the trusted financial infrastructure that makes this possible. When Africa’s global citizens invest back into Africa, growth becomes inevitable.”
