United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced a major step in expanding its operations by signing an agreement to begin full banking services in France. The deal was finalized during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France, where UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu, alongside President Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron, sealed the agreement in a ceremony with French Finance Minister Antoine Armand.
Elumelu emphasized that the partnership underscores UBA’s commitment to providing seamless international banking services, not only to the 11 Francophone African countries it already serves, but also to customers across Africa, as well as French and European clients engaging in trade with Africa. “Expanding into France is a natural progression for us, with Paris now set to be our European Union hub,” Elumelu said. He also noted that Paris would join cities like London, New York, and Dubai in UBA’s global network.
With this agreement, UBA becomes one of the few Nigerian banks with a full banking presence in France, aligning itself with tier-1 international banks. This move is part of broader efforts to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and France.
Tinubu’s state visit marks the first official visit by a Nigerian leader to Paris in over two decades, with President Macron welcoming him warmly in Nigerian Pidgin English, highlighting the cultural connection between the two countries.
