On the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Africa’s Global Bank – United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc set the stage for a series of insightful conversations and meaningful connections centred around the continent’s economic growth; empowering the next generation of young entrepreneurs; and transforming energy for a more sustainable future.

UBA America, the United States of America’s arm of UBA Group also held a cocktail reception at The Pierre, A Taj hotel convening global leaders across both public and private sectors for an evening of networking, the event also commemorated the 40th anniversary of UBA America and 75 years of UBA Group.

The cocktail event tagged “The UBA Africa Reception 2024”,  highlighted Africa’s growing influence on the global stage.  UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, who hosted other global leaders at the event, said the bank is committed to shaping the future of Africa and the world at large, he explained that the outing at UNGA was targeted at convening global leaders to talk about crucial topics on the continent including transformative economic growth for Africa. 

“This is very important to us as a continent so that we can eradicate poverty and create prosperity for all; making sure we create employment for our young ones. We need to stop wasting our talents on the continent and talk about equitable energy transition that is beneficial for Africa,” Elumelu said. 

Earlier at the General Assembly, Elumelu had interfaced with global leaders and policymakers on the need to collectively foster progress, drive and invest in impactful change for Africa’s future and put the continent on the global stage, adding, “There is a better way to invest in Africa for a sustainable future that creates value for all.” 

This again was reiterated at the high-level conservations Elumelu held with his team and Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Hon. Andrew Holness on the need to focus on enhancing partnerships between the Caribbean and Africa.

Elumelu said,  “The young people in the Caribbean, just as those in Africa, need the same economic opportunity and hope as their peers elsewhere in the world. “They are resilient, creative, hardworking, and innovative. We must prioritise and empower our young entrepreneurs because they are the lifeblood of our regions,” he said. 

The UBA cocktail reception brought together top global leaders, captains of industries, crème de la creme of the society and even policymakers in one room to network and chart a better course for the future of the globe including the President of São Tomé and Principe, His Excellency Carlos Vila Nova; President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio; President of Gabon, His Excellency, Brice Oligui Nguema; President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo; and the Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.

Top African Business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Governor of Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umaru Baggo; Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang; Minister of Women Affairs, Madam Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; and President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Okey Benedict Oramah; were also part of this event. 

UBA’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, led other top management staff such as the CEO, UBA Africa, Abiola Bawuah; CEO, UBA International, Sola Yomi Ajayi; to the event. 

Other top celebrities and stakeholders who were present at the cocktail were Nollywood veteran actress, Genevieve Nnaji; Founder of Ebony Life Group, Mo Abudu; Chairman of MTN Nigeria Plc, Dr Ernest Ndukwe; and Chief Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria Communications, Tobe Okigbo, amongst several others while African Music Superstar, Davido had guests dancing to hits upon hits. 

 Also, at the UNGA outing, the group chairman joined former US President, Bill Clinton on the Clinton Global Initiative Executive Roundtable lunch on “Speed and Scale: Achieving Climate Targets”, which emphasised on the urgent need for innovative solutions to climate goals while fostering sustainable development. 

UBA America is the U.S. arm of United Bank for Africa, the leading sub-Saharan African bank and one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with over 26,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.