United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is strengthening its green finance offering as climate change increasingly threatens business operations, drives up costs and disrupts economic activity across Africa.

The bank said climate-related risks have become a growing concern for businesses and financial institutions, affecting financial performance, risk management and long-term economic growth. In response, it is promoting financing options for eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations.

The initiative was announced alongside UBA’s Group-wide Climate Action Week, a five-day campaign running from October 26 to 30, 2026, under the theme “Banking on Africa’s Climate Future”. The campaign aims to raise climate awareness, encourage environmentally responsible practices and demonstrate how financial institutions can finance sustainable economic activities.

UBA Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said climate change was already affecting everyday life and economic activities through rising food costs, increased energy demand and flooding that disrupts homes, businesses and livelihoods.

“Climate change presents significant risks to businesses, communities and economies. These risks can affect business continuity, operating costs and financial performance, making sustainability an increasingly important consideration for both businesses and the financial institutions that support them,” Alawuba said.

He explained that the bank’s green finance initiative was intended to help eligible businesses identify financing solutions that meet their needs as they invest in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations.

“Through UBA Green Finance, we seek to support eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations. By helping customers explore financing solutions aligned with their needs, we can contribute to a more resilient private sector while unlocking opportunities for sustainable economic growth across Africa,” he said.

The bank’s efforts come amid growing climate-related disruptions affecting businesses and communities, particularly in food production, energy consumption and urban infrastructure. These challenges are also making sustainability an increasingly important factor for financial institutions assessing business resilience and supporting customers exposed to environmental risks.

During Climate Action Week, UBA plans to highlight the causes and consequences of climate change, including its effects on food prices, energy use and urban flooding. The campaign will also draw attention to the importance of financing clean energy, sustainable agriculture and other environmentally responsible businesses.

As part of its internal environmental measures, the bank has installed waste segregation bins across its offices and introduced steps to reduce single-use plastic consumption at its head offices.

UBA is also using its media and digital platforms to educate employees, customers and other stakeholders about responsible plastic disposal, recycling and practical ways to reduce environmental impact.

The campaign will extend to host communities through a group-wide clean-up exercise scheduled for November 7 in major cities across the bank’s markets. In Nigeria, the exercise will cover Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, with staff volunteers participating in activities aimed at promoting cleaner and healthier communities.

UBA will further support Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on October 30. The bank is scheduled to deliver a speaking session and participate in a panel discussion on sustainable finance and Africa’s transition to a more climate-resilient economy.

The engagement will allow the bank to showcase UBA Green Finance, present its sustainability initiatives and discuss how financial institutions can help businesses and communities adapt to climate-related challenges.

In another move to strengthen its sustainability expertise, UBA said it was set to join the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN). The planned membership is expected to deepen the bank’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) capabilities and support employees’ professional development in sustainability-related fields.

UBA said Climate Action Week forms part of its broader sustainability strategy, which incorporates environmental responsibility into its operations, customer engagement, employee participation and community initiatives.

Source: BusinessDay