UBA Sierra Leone Celebrates Double Victory at WABA Awards

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group has been named Best Commercial Bank in West Africa for 2025 at the 2nd Annual West African Bankers’ Awards, while its Sierra Leone operations secured an additional individual honour, with Head of Operations Mohamed Fofanah receiving the Best Staff of the Year 2025 – Local Banks award.

The double recognition was announced during a high-profile awards ceremony held on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Bintumani Freetown International Conference Centre in Freetown. The event brought together prominent personalities, banking professionals, financial sector stakeholders and policymakers from across West Africa to celebrate outstanding performance and contributions to the development of the regional banking industry.

The award for UBA Group was received on behalf of the institution by Francis Esiemokhai, Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UBA Sierra Leone, who represented the Group at the ceremony.

The regional recognition underscores UBA Group’s contribution to the growth and transformation of the financial services industry in West Africa, particularly through banking innovation, financial inclusion and the provision of financial services to individuals, businesses and corporate institutions across its markets.

The Group’s achievement was further complemented by the recognition of Mohamed Fofanah, Head of Operations at UBA Sierra Leone, who received the Best Staff of the Year 2025 – Local Banks award in recognition of his professional dedication, operational leadership and contribution to the Bank’s service delivery.

The two awards represent a significant achievement for UBA Sierra Leone, placing the institution among the recognised players in the regional banking industry while also highlighting the contributions of its workforce to operational excellence.

The ceremony was particularly significant as it coincided with the 45th anniversary of the West African Bankers’ Association (WABA), an organisation that has played a key role in promoting cooperation, professional development and financial integration among banking institutions across the subregion.

Over the years, WABA has provided a platform for strengthening relationships among financial institutions, improving professional standards and encouraging collaboration to support economic growth and development across West Africa. The annual awards form part of efforts to recognise institutions and professionals whose work continues to advance these objectives.

The event was graced by the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Madam Fatima Maada Bio, who highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment in building stronger institutions and promoting sustainable economic development.

In her address, the First Lady emphasised that empowering women is essential to expanding entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities and strengthening leadership across different sectors. She also recognised the intelligence, leadership capabilities and growing contributions of women in the banking industry and other areas of national development.

She further stressed the need to create more opportunities for women to participate in decision-making processes and occupy leadership positions, particularly within institutions that play a critical role in national and regional economic growth.

Other speakers, including Madam Shola Taylor Pearce and Madam Isatu Jawara, also highlighted the importance of unity, collaboration and women’s empowerment as essential pillars for institutional growth and sustainable development.

Their contributions reinforced the broader message of the ceremony, which went beyond recognising outstanding achievements to promoting professional excellence, inclusive leadership and stronger partnerships within the financial services sector.

UBA Sierra Leone was represented by a high-level delegation comprising Board Chairman Desmond William, Non-Executive Director Hugh Kweku Fraser and members of the Executive Management Committee.

The presence of the Bank’s board and executive representatives reflected UBA Sierra Leone’s commitment to supporting regional banking initiatives and contributing to the development of a stronger, more integrated financial services industry.

For UBA Group, the recognition represents further acknowledgement of its position in Africa’s financial services landscape and its continued efforts to respond to the changing needs of customers, businesses and corporate institutions.

As the banking industry increasingly embraces digital transformation, operational efficiency and customer-focused services, the Group continues to pursue initiatives aimed at improving banking accessibility, strengthening financial inclusion and delivering value across its markets.

The recognition of Mohamed Fofanah also highlights the important role played by dedicated professionals in ensuring effective operational management, maintaining banking standards and supporting the efficient delivery of services to customers.

The double honour therefore reflects both institutional achievement and individual professional excellence, reinforcing UBA’s commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction and sustainable growth.

The achievement further strengthens UBA Group’s profile within the West African banking industry and highlights UBA Sierra Leone’s contribution to the Group’s broader vision of advancing banking excellence and financial inclusion across Africa