In celebration of 40 years of operations in the United States and 75 years of global financial leadership, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) hosted a prestigious cocktail reception on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York City. The event, themed “An Evening of Influence and Impact,” took place yesterday at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, and highlighted Africa’s rising influence on the global stage while honoring UBA’s contributions to financial inclusion worldwide.
Hosted by UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu, the reception gathered an elite assembly of global leaders, industry captains, and policymakers to discuss Africa’s economic growth, the empowerment of young entrepreneurs, and sustainable energy transformation. The event served as a platform to foster meaningful connections and conversations on Africa’s future role in the global economy.
Distinguished attendees included the President of São Tomé and Príncipe, His Excellency Carlos Vila Nova; President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio; President of Gabon, His Excellency Brice Oligui Nguema; President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo; and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. Business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote, governors from Niger and Plateau states, as well as several high-profile figures from the financial and entertainment industries, also graced the event. Notable personalities such as Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji, media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, and music superstar Davido added to the evening’s glamour.
Speaking at the event, Elumelu underscored the importance of investing in Africa for a sustainable future, emphasizing the need to create economic opportunities for the continent’s youth. He highlighted UBA’s commitment to shaping the future of Africa and bridging partnerships between Africa and other regions, including the Caribbean. Elumelu also used the platform to promote collaboration in tackling global challenges, such as hunger and climate change, as discussed in his earlier engagements at UNGA.
The event celebrated UBA’s longstanding legacy of financial leadership and its pivotal role in fostering Africa’s global economic influence.