UBA Recognized as Leader in Digital Innovation at Banker Technology Awards
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, a prominent player in Africa’s banking sector, has been honored as the African winner of the highly regarded Banker Technology Awards 2026. The accolade recognizes UBA’s innovative strides in digital payments, e-business, and the strategic use of artificial intelligence to enhance cross-border banking across more than 20 African markets.
Significant Participation Reflects Industry Trends
This year, the Banker Technology Awards attracted nearly 200 submissions spanning 17 regions and various product categories. The winners underscore the evolving landscape of financial institutions as they increasingly adopt technology as an integral framework for payments, compliance, lending, and customer engagement.
Evaluators Praise UBA’s Technology-driven Strategy
In its evaluation of UBA’s impactful initiatives, The Banker remarked that the bank has solidified its position as a foremost digital operator by embedding technology within its growth strategy across over 20 countries. This commitment is especially reflected in its innovative cross-border remittance solutions, which combine digital payments, AI-enhanced engagement, and e-business.
AI-Driven Solutions Enhance Customer Experience
UBA’s award-winning approach centers on the integration of its AI-powered chatbot, Leo, with the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS). This synergy allows customers to execute fund transfers in local currencies across borders using a convenient conversational interface, greatly simplifying the transaction process.
Bank’s Vision for Digital Transformation
Emmanuel Lamptey, the newly appointed Executive Director of Digital Banking at UBA, accepted the award on behalf of the bank. He emphasized UBA’s commitment to digitizing banking operations throughout the continent. “Africa’s financial future will not be built on branches and borders; it will be based on intelligence, interoperability, and scalable trust,” Lamptey stated.
Addressing Cross-Border Payment Challenges
Lamptey further explained that the bank’s investment in Leo is a proactive response to the high costs and inefficiencies traditionally associated with cross-border payments in Africa. “In a landscape where transferring money across borders has long been slow and expensive, Leo minimizes friction at the transaction point and negates dependence on conventional banking channels,” he noted, adding that this innovation does not require significant changes in customer communication.
RedApp Mobile Banking Platform Gets Major Update
In conjunction with this accolade, UBA has revamped its RedApp mobile banking platform through a comprehensive upgrade. The newly enhanced application aims to offer a quicker and more intuitive digital banking experience for customers across its markets. It is available for download at this link.
Commitment to Enhanced Banking Experience
Alelo Ladipo, Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA, highlighted that the upgraded RedApp represents a significant advancement in how banks engage with customers. “At UBA, we’re continuously raising the standard of digital banking. The new RedApp is faster and user-friendly, reflecting the daily realities of our customers. Whether it’s managing your finances or transferring money, the experience is clearer than ever, and we encourage everyone to download the upgraded version available in the Google Play Store for Android and the Apple App Store for iPhone,” Ladipo remarked.
UBA’s Impact on the African Financial Landscape
As one of the continent’s largest employers in the financial sector, UBA boasts a workforce of 25,000 and serves over 45 million customers globally. The bank operates across 20 African countries, as well as in the UK, US, France, and the UAE, providing a variety of retail, commercial, and institutional banking services while championing financial inclusion and leveraging advanced technology.
