Climate Risks Key to Business Resilience, Says UBA GMD

Climate considerations are increasingly becoming critical to business resilience, risk management and long-term economic growth, as the effects of climate change continue to disrupt business operations, raise costs and threaten livelihoods across Africa, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba, has said.

Alawuba, speaking on UBA’s Group-wide Climate Action Week, said climate risks could affect business continuity, operating costs and financial performance, making sustainability an important consideration for businesses and the financial institutions that provide funding to them.

He said UBA was seeking to support eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and sustainable operations through its Green Finance initiative, noting that climate-conscious financing could help build a more resilient private sector and unlock opportunities for sustainable economic growth across Africa.

“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.

“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,” Alawuba added.

The bank said the initiative was part of efforts to strengthen environmental awareness, promote responsible business practices and expand sustainable finance across its African and international operations.

The five-day campaign, which runs from October 26 to 30, 2026, is themed “Banking on Africa’s Climate Future” and seeks to integrate environmental responsibility into the bank’s operations, customer engagement and financing solutions.

Alawuba said the effects of climate change were no longer distant environmental concerns, as rising food prices, increased energy demand and flooding increasingly affected households, businesses and communities.

“Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is increasingly shaping everyday life across Africa. We see its effects in rising food costs, increased energy demand and flooding that disrupts homes, businesses and livelihoods,” he said.

He added that addressing the challenge required collective action, including practical changes in workplaces, homes and communities.

“At UBA, we believe that building a sustainable future requires collective action, beginning with the choices we make at work, at home and in our communities. Through this Climate Action Week, we are encouraging every member of the UBA Tribe, alongside our customers and other stakeholders, to embrace practical, sustainable habits and inspire others to do the same,” he said.

As part of the campaign, UBA said it has deployed waste segregation bins across its offices and introduced measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics at its head offices.

The bank said it will also sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on October 30, where it will participate in a panel discussion and deliver a speaking session to showcase its Green Finance initiative and explore the role of financial institutions in supporting Africa’s transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient economy.