Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has commenced a major Pan-African working tour across East, Central, and Southern Africa aimed at deepening economic partnerships and accelerating sustainable growth on the continent.
The tour described as a strategic engagement series will see Elumelu visit key African nations including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Mozambique, Zambia, the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to a statement issued on Sunday, the visit underscores UBA’s long-standing commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses, and driving private-sector–led growth across Africa.
“Africa’s story is one of immense potential, and it’s time we take full ownership of it,” Elumelu said. “Through this tour, we’re not just engaging with leaders and entrepreneurs we’re building real partnerships that will deliver lasting impact. Together, we can close infrastructure gaps, empower our youth, and create shared prosperity across borders.”
Throughout the tour, Elumelu is expected to meet with several African presidents, senior policymakers, investors, and emerging entrepreneurs to explore collaborative strategies around digital inclusion, infrastructure development, and youth-led enterprise growth.
The initiative aligns with UBA’s recent white paper, Banking on Africa’s Future: Unlocking Capital and Partnerships for Sustainable Growth, which calls for increased foreign direct investment in human capital and green infrastructure projects across the continent.
Experts say the timing of the tour is significant, as Africa’s GDP is projected to reach $2.6 trillion by 2030, driven largely by innovations in telecommunications, education technology, and consumer markets. UBA aims to leverage its Pan-African network to facilitate up to $50 billion in trade and investment flows over the next five years.
UBA, often referred to as Africa’s Global Bank, currently operates in 20 African countries and major international markets including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and the United Arab Emirates. The bank continues to lead initiatives in digital banking, sustainable finance, and inclusive economic development, guided by Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism the belief that Africa’s private sector holds the key to the continent’s transformation.