United Bank for Africa (UBA) has taken a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s clean energy transition through a strategic partnership with Renewvia Solar Nigeria, aimed at deploying renewable energy solutions across 25 of its branches in five states.
The partnership was officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at UBA’s Oba Akran 2 branch in Ikeja, Lagos, and graced by the Nordic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Svein Bæra. The event featured a guided tour of the Inverter and Battery Room, showcasing the solar hybrid systems that will power the bank’s operations.
Under a 10-year Power-as-a-Service agreement, Renewvia Solar Nigeria will install advanced solar and battery hybrid systems across UBA’s facilities to improve power reliability, operational efficiency, and customer experience. Upon full rollout, the project will cover 50 locations across 18 states, delivering 3 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar capacity and 7 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage.
UBA Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, highlighted the initiative as a demonstration of the bank’s broader vision for sustainable development and private-sector-driven investment across Africa. He reiterated this commitment during the Norway–Africa Business Summit in Oslo, where he called on global partners to view Africa as a continent of opportunity, not dependency.
“Africa needs partners, not charity,” Elumelu said, urging collaboration based on entrepreneurship, innovation, and mutual growth.
UBA’s Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, described the renewable energy rollout as a strategic move to align the bank’s operations with global sustainability goals.
“At UBA, we believe sustainability is not just a responsibility but a key part of building Africa’s future,” Akinyemi said.
Renewvia Solar Nigeria’s Managing Director, Adebowale Dosunmu, called the partnership a milestone in expanding clean energy access to commercial clients in Nigeria, while the CEO of Incremental Energy Solutions, Oladipupo Omodara, praised UBA’s proactive role in bringing the project to fruition.
Financing support for the initiative comes from Empower New Energy, whose CEO, Terje Osmundsen, described the project as a “landmark collaboration” that aligns with the company’s mission to accelerate Africa’s renewable energy transition.
In his goodwill message, Ambassador Svein Bæra commended the collaboration as “a shining example of what can be achieved when African ambition meets Nordic innovation,” underscoring the growing synergy between Nigeria and Norway in sustainable development and green investment.