Iconic Global
A fashion runway featuring designs from 20 African countries, traditional music performances, and a continent-wide culinary tasting took centre stage as United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc celebrated Africa Day 2026 across its offices on the continent.
The event, held at UBA House in Lagos and observed simultaneously at the bank’s locations from Nairobi to Accra, Abidjan to Douala, transformed the financial institution into a vibrant display of continental heritage.
Staff traded formal wear for traditional attire as the bank activated a full cultural programme that included a fashion runway, music presentations, and food tastings drawn from each of its operating markets.
A highlight of the Lagos event was the crowning of Temitayo Abayomi, a UBA staff member, as ‘modern African muse’ following a fashion presentation that celebrated the diversity of African textiles and designs.
UBA also used the occasion to activate Red Vault, its lifestyle rewards platform, bringing a curated selection of African consumer brands directly into the event space.
Lush Hair, Zayith, Tobi’s Closet, and Sweet Tooth Cafe were featured, providing staff with an on-the-ground demonstration of a rewards ecosystem anchored in African businesses and everyday experiences.
Speaking at the event, Oliver Alawuba, UBA GMD and CEO, acknowledged the cultural significance of the day, noting that the bank’s diversity of languages, traditions, and geographies is a structural advantage.
“As a Group with presence in 20 African countries, UBA is more than a bank. We are a bridge across markets, cultures, people and opportunities,” Alawuba said.
“Every day, through our people, our technology, our capital and our customer relationships, we connect Africa to itself and Africa to the world.
“Africa’s story is changing. Young people are innovating, entrepreneurs are creating new businesses, women are leading boldly, creatives are taking our culture global, and institutions are beginning to reimagine the future of trade, finance, technology and development. At UBA, we must continue to see ourselves as enablers of this transformation.”
Alawuba challenged staff to see the group’s diversity of languages, cultures, and geographies as a structural advantage in serving African markets that no external institution can replicate.
“Let us bring the same energy we display today into our work, with excellence, enterprise and execution,” he said.
“Let us continue to prove that African institutions can be world-class, trusted, innovative and globally competitive.”
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