UBA reiterates commitment to development of SMEs across Africa

By Godfrey Ofurum

The management of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has said that it is committed to the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Africa, as evidenced in the increased funding it has provided to such businesses in Nigeria and across Africa.

Muyiwa Akinyemi, deputy managing director, said this while delivering his keynote address at the flag-off of the 2022 Lagos International Trade Fair. UBA has been the lead sponsorship partner for the annual event since 2019.

Speaking on the theme “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value”, Akinyemi explained that armed with the firm belief that SMEs  remain the bedrock of any country’s economic development, UBA has pioneered products and services specifically targeted at SMEs and young entrepreneurs towards meeting their financial needs, having access to markets and building capacity.

“We are focused on creating value, connecting and facilitating business across Africa and between Africa with the rest of the world. Already, we have done a trade of about $7.7 billion and Export trade of about $29.4 billion as at August 2022,” he said.

“It will also interest you all to know that we match our words with action as we have supported hundreds of SMEs in Africa especially in countries where we have presence. UBA does this not only in the manufacturing and services sectors but also in the creative industry and Fintech,” said Akinyemi.

Akinyemi explained that UBA Group prioritises capacity building  and valuable financial advisory services for SMEs hence the reason for regular its quarterly webinar sessions and training.

He also spoke on the Pan African Payment Settlement System (PAPSS), a centralised payment and settlement system for intra-African trade in goods and services that is poised to transform the payment landscape across Africa.

“Because of our large network and pan-African presence, UBA is working with Afreximbank, through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to promote regional trade through harmonised trade documentation, easier access to finance and timely and easy currency conversion with the PAPSS platform.

“Already, UBA is at the forefront of this collaboration currently at six pilot countries in West Africa – Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Gambia”, Akinyemi said.

He pointed out that following the kick-off, this will be a major boost to trade across the continent, as it will help to provide a flexible export financing scheme to aid export of Nigeria products and commodities.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, earlier in his speech, appreciated UBA’s efforts and support to SMEs, which according to him, significantly impacted the growth of businesses in Lagos and beyond.

Sanwo-Olu seized the opportunity to restate his administration’s commitment to prioritising the growth and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to further drive the economic growth and development of the state.

Michael Olawale-Cole, president, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), expressed satisfaction on the level of SME participation in this year’s fair, as he commended UBA for its commitment to the growth of SMEs.