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UBA Records Strong Double Digit Growth In Top and Bottom Lines, Declares N0.20k Interim Dividend

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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced its audited financial results for the half year ended June 30, 2022, recording double-digit growth across key income lines as well as significant progress in the contribution from its subsidiaries.

​At the end of the first two quarters of the year, the Bank was able to deliver a 12.6 per cent appreciation in profit before tax(PBT) to N85.7bn, up from N76.2bn recorded in the same period of 2021.

​Despite numerous business, economic as well as geo-political environmental challenges including continued supply-chain interruptions due to Covid, the Russia and Ukraine conflict, and the resultant rise in prices of global commodities, that characterized the first six months of the year, the tier1 lender delivered impressive numbers, with gross earnings hitting N372.4bn, a solid 17.8 percent growth when compared with N316billion that was posted the same period in the prior year.

​Operating income also grew by 20.1% to N256bn in the period, while the firm’s profit after tax closed the first half stronger at N70.3 billion, up by 16.1 percent compared to the N60.6 billion same period in 2021.

A further breakdown of the Bank’s half-year result, which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange Group(NGX), in the early hours on Thursday, September 8, showed total assets continued on an upward trajectory, increasing 5.4 percent to about N9 trillion.

​The bank also delivered on its core mandate of extending loans to credit-worthy customers for the overall economic development, as loans and advances increased by 4 percent to N3trillion; while deposits rose by 7.9 percent to N7.6 trillion at the end of the period.​

​Shareholders’ funds however declined marginally by 2 percent to N788.5 billion, owing majorly to the decline in its foreign operations translation reserve as well as fair value losses suffered from the investment securities valuation occasioned by the increasing interest rate regime across the globe.

​With the strong double-digit growth in profit after tax (PAT) vis-à-vis the marginal decline in shareholder’s fund, the Group’s return on equity (RoE) closed the period stronger at 17.7%, whilst return on assets (RoA) came to 1.6%, up by 9 basis points.

​Reaffirming its commitment to shareholders and the investing public, the Board of Directors of UBA Plc declared an interim dividend of 20kobo per share for every ordinary share of N0.50 each held by its shareholders.

​UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, while commenting on the result, said the stellar performance was in line with management’s expectation, adding that the Bank’s continued focus on its Customer 1st philosophy to pursue the mission of providing superior value to our stakeholders had increased low-cost customer deposits, and boosted the growth of its payment and transaction banking.

​“The financial year 2022 showed initial signs of recovery of economies across the globe, despite continued COVID-induced supply-chain disruptions. However, geopolitical challenges including the Russia and Ukraine conflict, resulted in escalation of global commodity prices, particularly grains and crude oil, which have taken a toll on several economies. Notwithstanding these developments, our half-year numbers came out stronger than the prior year, with top and bottom-line reaching new record highs,” Alawuba said.

​According to him, The Group’s profitability increased by 12.6% to N85.7 billion, with double-digit growth recorded across key income line. The Bank also recorded a decent 20% growth in net interest income as it continues to moderate cost of funds whilst improving yield on assets, thereby contributing to the strong 20% growth in operating income. “Our investments in state-of-the-art technology continue to yield expected results, evident in the huge boost of our digital banking income, which grew 22.7% year-on-year to N36.3 billion. These gains have enabled us to optimize net earnings amid the accelerating inflationary pressure, the currency devaluation, and increased regulatory-driven cost,” he said.

​The GMD also noted that he is delighted at the strides made by the Bank in growing its market share across Africa. In his words, “Our retail business has continued to grow, as we ride on our agency banking network, trusted brand, competitive product offerings and quality service delivery to deepen our retail penetration,”

​Alawuba who also commented on his recent appointment as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, alongside five other Group Executive Directors, assured the investing public of his relentless commitment to the growth of the business. “Together, with our highly motivated workforce, we are poised to usher the business into a new era of growth that will deliver superior values to all stakeholders,” he said.

UBA is a leading pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than thirty-seven million customers across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries.

​With presence in New York, London and Paris and now the UAE, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

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ZENITHBANKCHAMPIONSTRADEANDINVESTMENTAT6THCANADA-AFRICABUSINESS CONFERENCE

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  • ZenithBankPlcreaffirmeditscommitmenttoadvancingtrade,investmentandeconomiccooperation
    betweenCanadaandAfricaastheHeadlineConferenceSponsorofthe6thCanada-AfricaBusiness
    Conference, held on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
    OrganisedbytheCanada-AfricaChamberofBusiness,theconferencebroughttogetherahigh-level
    Canadian business delegation representing 31 companies, alongside senior government officials, business
    leaders, investors, policymakers, diplomats and development partners. The gathering set out to strengthen
    commercial relations between Canada and Africa and to position Nigeria as a strategic gateway for Canadian
    businesses seeking opportunities across the continent.
    The Canadian delegation comprised companies and institutions operating across financial services, security,
    mining andcritical minerals,legal andprofessional services, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, education
    and clean energy. Among those present were GardaWorld, Dentons, Baywood Group, Element, Trilliant and
    other leading Canadian enterprises exploring commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships in Nigeria.
    The Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunranti, who delivered the keynote address on behalf
    of the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, described the conference as a timely
    platform for deepening commercial partnerships between Canada and Africa amid shifting global economic
    realities. He underscored Africa’s readiness to lead the next phase of global economic growth, stressing that
    thecontinent now possessestheinstitutions,policy frameworks andpartnershipsrequiredtoturn its immense
    potential into shared prosperity.
    “The question is not whether Africa is rich in potential. It is whether we can turn that potential into prosperity
    our people can feel. For the first time, the answer is yes, because of the machinery we are now building,” he
    said.
    RepresentingtheGovernorofLagosState,HisExcellencyMr.BabajideSanwo-Olu,thePermanent
    Secretary, Ministryof Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade andInvestment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo,reaffirmed
    the State Government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for investment and international
    partnerships, and highlighted Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s commercial hub and gateway to African markets.
    “Canada bringstothe tableconsiderable expertise,capital, innovation,and astrong traditionof institution
    building.Africa,andindeedLagos,offerscale.Weoffertalent,creativity,marketopportunitiesandan
    increasingly sophisticated business environment. Together, these strengths create a compelling foundation
    for transformative partnership,” he said.
    Speaking at the event, the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, noted
    thattheconferencereflectsthegrowingmomentuminbilateralcommercialcollaborationbetweenboth
    countries. He said: “The relationship between Canada and Nigeria is not new. It is rooted in diplomacy, trade,
    education,culture,migration,andshareddemocraticvalues.Buttoday,Ibelieveweareenteringanew
    chapter: one that is more ambitious, more practical, and more human.”
  • TheChairoftheBoardoftheCanada-AfricaChamberofBusiness,PaulaCaldwellSt-Onge,highlighted
    Nigeria’sgrowing economic significance,saying: “Nigeria’s growth isnot theoretical.It is alreadybeing built by
    Nigerian entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, innovators and companies whose ambition reaches
    across Africa and around the world.”
    She also acknowledged Zenith Bank’s role in advancing the conference’s objectives, stating: “Zenith Bank is
    not only oneof Africa’s leadingfinancial institutions, it isthe capital behindwhat you seehere today, and it
    represents the skill, ambition, discipline, innovation and excellence that this conference seeks to showcase.”
    Theconferencefeaturedhigh-levelpaneldiscussionsonCanada-Africacommercialrelations,investment
    opportunitiesacrossprioritysectors,andtheimplementationoftheAfricanContinentalFreeTrade Area
    (AfCFTA). The sessions brought together policymakers, business executives and industry experts to identify
    practicalpathwaysforstrengtheningcommercialpartnershipsandacceleratingsustainableeconomic
    development.
    The conference is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for Canadian investment,
    while opening new opportunities for technology transfer, private sector collaboration, job creation and long-
    termeconomicgrowth.ItalsoreinforcesNigeria’spositionasastrategichubforbusinessesseekingto
    access opportunities across Africa under the AfCFTA, supporting the country’s ambition to expand its role in
    regional and global trade.
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HabariPay Launches Maiden “HabariPay Impact Report 2025”, Showcasing Its Journey, Business Evolution, and Contributions to Digital Payments

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HabariPay Limited, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”), has unveiled its maiden HabariPay Impact Report 2025, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive account of the company’s evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact on the digital payments landscape.The report captures HabariPay’s transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers, highlighting the milestones, strategic decisions, and investments that have shaped its growth. It showcases the company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions.The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the company’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions. The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.Speaking on the launch of the report, the Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduofon Japhet, said: “As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators. The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy.”She further added: “The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.”The report also showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.Looking ahead, the publication outlines HabariPay’s vision for the future, including continued investment in payment infrastructure, merchant solutions, digital innovation, and intelligent technologies that will shape the future of financial services.
To access the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, please click the below: https://squadco.com/impact-report/About HabariPayHabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations, and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.

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ZENITHBANKPARTNERSLAWMA,LASWATOCOMMEMORATEWORLDENVIRONMENT DAY 2026 WITH TWO-PHASE LAGOS CLEAN-UP

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Inlinewithitscommitmenttoenvironmentalsustainabilityandresponsiblebusinesspractices,
ZenithBankPlchascommemoratedthe2026WorldEnvironmentDaywithatwo-phase
environmental clean-up initiative in LagosState, held under theglobal theme “Inspired by Nature.
For Climate. For Our Future.”
The first phase was a morning clean-upconducted by staff of the Bank on Wednesday,3 June
2026, along Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exercise mobilised employees to
clear waste, sensitise residents on proper disposal practices, and reinforce the Bank’s culture of
community service and environmental stewardship.
Thesecondphase,onThursday,4June2026,featuredawaterwaysclean-upattheFalomo
Waterways, Ikoyi, Lagos, executed in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority
(LAWMA)andtheLagosStateWaterwaysAuthority(LASWA).Thejointeffortfocusedon
removingmarinedebris,promotingcleanerwaterways,andsupportingtheState’sbroader
climate-resilience agenda.
Speakingontheinitiative,DameDr.AdaoraUmeoji,OON,GroupManagingDirector/CEOof
Zenith Bank Plc, said: “At Zenith Bank, sustainability is integral to how we operate. Clearing our
streetsandourwaterwaysisapracticalreminderthatprotectingtheenvironmentisashared
responsibility – and one we are proud to take up alongside LAWMA and LASWA. Through these
exercises, we aretaking deliberate action topreserve our communities,support climate action,
andinspireotherstoact.Ouroperationswillcontinuetoalignwithglobalenvironmental
standards as we build a more sustainable future for Nigeria and Africa.”
ZenithBankremainscommittedtoembeddingEnvironmental,SocialandGovernance(ESG)
principles across its operations, investing in green initiatives, energy efficiency, and community-
focused programmes. These efforts advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
–particularlySDG7(AffordableandCleanEnergy),SDG11(SustainableCitiesand
Communities)andSDG13(ClimateAction).Sustainabilityremainsanoperationalimperative
across the Bank’s Nigerian base and its broader African, UK and European footprints
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