UBA's Oliver Alawuba Advocates for African Investment

Oliver Alawuba, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, called for increased attention to converting Africa's vast opportunities into investable projects at the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium in New York, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly engagements. He stressed the necessity for dependable revenues, credible institutions, and accountable delivery to unlock sustainable capital for the continent.

Alawuba pointed out that Africa's development ambitions require rigorous preparation and serious capital, with projects needing to be commercially sustainable and backed by reliable institutions. He referenced UBA's role in connecting African enterprises with capital and expertise, citing a US$6.56 million telecommunications modernization project in Chad, initiated in 2021, which is set for completion in 2025 with the loan fully repaid.

This example illustrates how a clearly defined development need can progress from financing to completion when structured correctly.