United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has rolled out a five-day Climate Action Week designed to boost environmental consciousness, encourage proper waste handling, and support sustainable finance throughout its operations in Africa and around the world.
The campaign, running from October 26 to 30, 2026, is themed “Banking on Africa’s Climate Future” and aims to encourage employees, customers and other stakeholders to adopt environmentally responsible practices.
The initiative began with the deployment of waste segregation bins across UBA offices and measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics at the bank’s head offices.
Throughout the week, the bank will share educational content across its media and digital platforms on the causes and effects of climate change, including its impact 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.
UBA staff volunteers are expected to participate in a group-wide clean-up exercise on November 7 in major cities across the bank’s markets. In Nigeria, the exercise will take place in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.
UBA Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said climate change was increasingly affecting everyday life across Africa.
“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,” he said.
Alawuba said the campaign was designed to encourage employees, customers and other stakeholders to embrace practical and sustainable habits at work, at home and in their communities.
He added that climate risks had become important considerations for business resilience, risk management and long-term economic growth.
According to him, the bank’s Green Finance initiative seeks to support eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations.
“By helping customers explore financing solutions aligned with their needs, we can contribute to a more resilient private sector while unlocking opportunities for sustainable economic growth across Africa,” Alawuba said.
As part of its stakeholder engagement, UBA will sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on October 30, where it will deliver a presentation and participate in a panel discussion on sustainable finance and Africa’s transition to a climate-resilient economy.
The bank is also set to join the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN), a move expected to strengthen its environmental, social and governance (ESG) expertise and support staff development in sustainability-related fields.
UBA said the Climate Action Week formed part of its broader sustainability strategy, which incorporates environmental responsibility into its business operations, employee engagement, community initiatives and financing solutions.
The bank operates in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates. It has approximately 25,000 employees and serves more than 45 million customers globally.
What You Should Know
The United Bank for Africa has initiated a comprehensive campaign themed ‘Banking on Africa’s Climate Future’ to address growing environmental challenges like flooding, food price hikes, and energy demands.
- Positive Impact: Customers and businesses gain better access to Green Finance solutions to fund cleaner technologies, while staff and communities benefit from organized clean-up exercises and eco-friendly office policies.
- Potential Concerns: Stricter environmental standards and climate risk assessments might introduce new compliance requirements or financing adjustments for businesses relying on traditional energy or carbon-heavy operations.
