Copyright tribuneonlineng
United Bank for Africa (UBA) has reaffirmed its commitment to financial inclusion and enterprise development with the introduction of a range of innovative, business-friendly products and services in 2025. Speaking at the latest edition of the UBA Business Series, themed “Content that Converts: Building Influence and Driving Growth Through Strategic Marketing,” the Group Head of Digital Banking, Mr Olukayode Olubiyi, said the bank deliberately rolled out solutions this year to empower customers, especially Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). “Some insights into what we have introduced to the market this year include our Collection Solutions, such as POS innovation that empowers small businesses; and Pay With Transfer, which helps businesses to receive payments faster and easier,” Olubiyi said. He further disclosed that UBA had relaunched its digital lending service, enabling customers to access loans of up to ₦200,000 via 91928#, while micro loans of up to ₦5 million are available at a highly competitive rate of 9 per cent per annum (0.75 per cent monthly). The bank also relaunched its website with enhanced self-service features and introduced cross-border payments on Leo, UBA’s AI-powered chatbot. “These innovations,” Olubiyi explained, “are designed to make financial services more accessible and efficient for entrepreneurs across Africa.” According to him, UBA’s focus on knowledge sharing and capacity building remains central to its strategy. “This event underscores UBA’s unwavering commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the requisite knowledge and tools to thrive—especially in today’s competitive digital landscape,” he said. He illustrated the power of digital connectivity with the story of a young Ghanaian fashion designer, Nana, who used social media to display her products. “Nana showcased her designs on Instagram and received an order from Ada, a buyer in Lagos. Ada simply made payment using Leo—UBA’s AI ChatBot—on WhatsApp. Nana received the payment in her bank account in Ghana from Ada in Nigeria,” Olubiyi narrated. He noted that creating content strengthens expertise and builds brand credibility in the digital age. “This is one of the major areas shaping our future life and making it unequivocally clear that a fresh way of thinking is crucial,” he said. Speaking on entrepreneurial vision, Olubiyi urged participants to: “See it — Identify opportunities. Seize it — Take bold entrepreneurial steps. Shape it — Build solutions and content that impact globally from your local base.” He added: “Today, we are going to learn from leaders in the content creative industry who have distinguished themselves in storytelling and social media, and how to leverage their experiences to strengthen brand presence, drive audiences, and create the future we want to see.” Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nitro 121, Mr. Olayinka Omoyole, described content as “your brand’s voice.” He noted that while websites and email were once the main tools for content creation, Africa only became an active player in the digital space in the early 2000s. “I remember being one of the first brand managers in Nigeria to have a branded email for Bournvita, and it was interesting responding to children—the target audience—by email,” he recalled. According to Omoyole, the internet and social media have transformed the communication landscape. “Digital is not simply a collection of platforms driven by data and devices; it’s a global community powered by people and content,” he explained. He emphasised that technology—particularly artificial intelligence—is driving a new content and media revolution. “Social media has become a paramount channel of communication and engagement for people and businesses,” Omoyole stated. Highlighting the implications of this transformation, he said businesses now face attention and trust deficits due to platform proliferation and information overload. “One size won’t fit all. Businesses, brands, and content creators must prioritize segmentation, targeting, and innovation in content development and media planning,” he advised. He identified nine key trends for content creators to consider: intentional targeting, short-form videos, user-generated and authentic content, voice marketing, micro-influencer partnerships, experiential content such as virtual and augmented reality, and data-driven content powered by artificial intelligence. “Trustworthiness,” Omoyole concluded, “is the new currency for building lasting brands in the digital age.” Through such initiatives, UBA continues to position itself as a forward-thinking financial institution dedicated not only to banking innovation but also to enabling Africa’s entrepreneurs to compete and grow in a connected world.
