Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has emerged winner of the African Category at the prestigious 2026 Banker Technology Awards, earning international recognition for its pioneering innovations in digital payments, e-business, and the deployment of artificial intelligence to drive seamless cross-border banking across Africa.
The Banker Technology Awards attracted nearly 200 submissions across 17 regional and product categories this year, with winners selected for demonstrating how technology is transforming banking operations, customer engagement, compliance, payments, and financial inclusion.
In announcing UBA as the African winner, The Banker commended the bank’s technology-led growth strategy, noting that “UBA has cemented its status as a leading digital operator by placing technology at the centre of its growth strategy across more than 20 countries. This approach is most visible in its work on cross-border transfers, spanning digital payments, AI-driven engagement, and e-business.”
Central to UBA’s recognition was the successful integration of Leo, its award-winning AI-powered chatbot, with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), enabling customers to initiate and complete cross-border transfers in local currencies through a simple conversational interface.
Speaking after receiving the award on behalf of the bank, UBA’s Executive Director Designate, Digital Banking, Emmanuel Lamptey, said the recognition reinforces the bank’s commitment to building a digitally connected Africa.
“Africa’s financial future will not be built on branches or borders. It will be built on intelligence, interoperability, and trust at scale,” Lamptey stated.
He explained that UBA’s continued investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure is helping to eliminate the barriers that have historically made cross-border transactions expensive and cumbersome.
“Across a continent where cross-border transfers have traditionally been slow and costly, Leo reduces friction at the point of transaction, eliminating dependence on conventional banking channels while allowing customers to transact through platforms they already use and trust,” he said.
Commenting on the recognition, UBA Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, described the award as a testament to the bank’s unwavering commitment to innovation and its vision of creating a truly integrated African financial ecosystem.
“This recognition by The Banker validates our deliberate investment in technology as a catalyst for economic growth, financial inclusion, and customer empowerment across Africa. At UBA, we believe that the future of banking lies in creating seamless, secure, and intelligent solutions that connect people, businesses, and markets across borders.
As Africa’s Global Bank, we remain committed to leveraging innovation and emerging technologies to simplify banking, deepen intra-African trade, and provide world-class banking experiences to our customers wherever they are. This award inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in digital financial services,” Alawuba said.
In a further demonstration of its commitment to digital excellence, UBA also announced the relaunch of its flagship mobile banking platform, RedApp, following a comprehensive upgrade designed to deliver a faster, smarter, and more intuitive banking experience.
The enhanced RedApp offers improved speed, seamless navigation, upgraded functionality, and an enriched user interface, enabling customers across UBA’s markets to manage their finances more efficiently and securely.
Speaking on the relaunch, UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, described the upgraded application as a significant milestone in the bank’s digital transformation journey.
“At UBA, we are constantly redefining what digital banking should look and feel like. The upgraded RedApp has been designed around our customers’ lifestyles and evolving needs, delivering a faster, cleaner, and more personalised banking experience.
“Whether customers are making transfers, paying bills, managing accounts, or accessing new services, the experience is now more seamless than ever. We encourage all our customers to download or update the app today and enjoy the next generation of digital banking,” she said.
Customers can download the upgraded RedApp via: https://on.ubagroup.com/redapp
United Bank for Africa is one of Africa’s largest employers in the financial services sector, with over 25,000 employees and more than 45 million customers globally. Operating in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial, and institutional banking services while championing financial inclusion through innovative technology and customer-focused solutions.
