The UBA Africa Conversations
was established in May 2019 as a hallmark initiative in a series of
celebrations for Africa Day. The conversations provide a platform for African
and global audiences to connect with global thought leaders both in the private
and public sectors, on their African journey, in a quest to change the
narrative on Africa from desolate to successful.
This year’s conversation was themed ‘The importance of
reflecting our African culture in global success stories’ and underscores the
tremendous shift in Africa’s cultural influence
– from Afrobeat to African films; Big African fashion labels and African
authors; entertainment and culture. The African continent is creating positive
impact globally.
UBA’s Deputy Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, who welcomed
the panellists and the guests to the event stated that as Africa’s global bank,
UBA remains at the forefront of supporting businesses across the continent. He
said, “It is from Africa that UBA Africa was set up. UBA has invested so much
in Africa. We are in 20 African countries and 4 countries outside Africa; Our
focus has always been on driving investments into Africa, through conversations
such as this.
As always, UBA brought together a rich and diverse panel
including Legendary African musician and Songwriter, Youssou Madjiguène Ndour,
who gave the keynote address at the event, speaking on the need for
collaboration to boost the continent’s fortunes. “Young people in Africa have a
lot of questions and we have to listen to them and see how together we can be a
solution for Africa. We need to understand that there is a lot to do. Together
we can make it,” Ndour said.
The Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador
Humphrey Desmond Geiseb talked about how globalisation has been good for
Africa. He said, “Of course, there are still some gaps, there are still a lot
of things about Africa that is not known, and I believe that culture and Arts
can help to get it right for us.” He added that UBA’s foray as an African bank
into the United States of America is a testament to this fact.
The Former Commissioner for Tourism, Lagos State, Steve
Ayorinde who also sat on the panel pointed out that the liberalisation of the
Media and digital content is helping to improve the African narrative. “As
Africans, we are at the point where no one denigrates the African culture
anymore. Indeed there is still a gap, but we are bridging that gap,” he said.
African Movie Academy Award Winning Ghanaian Actress, Lydia
Forson, who appreciated UBA’s contribution towards changing the African
narrative, spoke to how the African culture is now more widely accepted around
the world. “It is great to see a bank like UBA being intentional about
promoting Africa. Now, the world gets to see more of us, because, we have
started to tell our own stories’.
On his part, young talented Fashion Designer, Kenneth Ize, said that the continent holds a lot of potential that we are yet to tap into. “Africa is our home, our culture, and we have to do everything to preserve our culture,” he said.
Television Anchor and jorunalist, Laila Salami-Johnson, who
moderated the panel emphasised “Our creativity is really putting Africa on the
map.”
Africa Day has been celebrated every May 25th, since 1963,
across the African continent and worldwide. The day was inaugurated by the
Organisation of African Unity, in celebration of the unity, diversity and
beauty of Africa and its people. UBA, one of Africa’s leading financial
services institutions, with a pan-African footprint spanning 20 African
countries and globally in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the
United Arab Emirates and France, is fully committed to unifying Africa and
continues to lead the narrative focused on the development, growth, and unity
of Africa.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African
financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-five (25)
million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in
20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris, and an
operating license in Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across
Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative
cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking
services. UBA is Africa’s global bank.