By John Sheka Tarawalie
In line with their expansionist drive in the country and around the world, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) on Thursday 29th July 2021 opened their latest branch in the Adonkia community, Western Rural in Freetown. The UBA ranks amongst leading financial institutions in the country with operating outlets in 20 African countries, New York, London and Paris.
In his statement, Managing Director and CEO Usman Isiaka welcomed dignitaries and invited guests to the official opening of their branch. He said the UBA Bank has been operational in Sierra Leone since July 2008. He said that the bank is a full-fledged Sierra Leone commercial bank that renders financial services to customers in their operating areas, noting that the new branch at Adonkia is a significant addition to their network branches they are targeting for 2021.
MD Isiaka added that, he is gratified to fulfil the legacy his predecessor Chinedu Obeta, former MD/CEO UBA Sierra Leone, who started the journey of establishing the Adonkia branch of UBA about a year ago. He further said that the Adonkia branch is part of UBA Sierra Leone’s strategic intent of expanding their reach to the banked, under-banked and unbanked populace across the country under their 2021 branch expansion project and the new UBA Branch Model and Prototypes that are expected to give their customers the new experience of a beautiful business environment as exemplified by the edifice that is scheduled for commissioning.
He added that the Adonkia branch is one of the 5 new customer service touch points (3 branches and 2 cash points) the bank planned for the current financial year to bring the total number of their business offices in the country to 14 (10 branches and 4 cash points) for improved customer service experience and convenience for their existing and prospective customers.
Making a statement, the Deputy Bank Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone, Sheikh Alhaji Yayah Sesay said the Adonkia branch is modern and beautiful, which he said is a clear manifestation of UBA’s continued investment in Sierra Leone and desire to serve its customers in a conducive and modern environment, adding that the UBA has continued to play a leading role in the banking system throughout the years and has been a strong and vital pillar to the Sierra Leonean economy for over a decade.
He revealed that to ease the process of making payments or transferring money, the Bank of Sierra Leone is well advanced with the introduction of the National Switch in the payment system infrastructure. He said the National Switch will boost financial inclusion, reduce the use of cash for basic transactions and stimulate innovation, competition, growth and economic prosperity, adding that the switch will allow customers to make payments for goods and services through cards, mobile phones or the internet. He urged the people of Adonkia and its environs to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the UBA in their new branch.
The Member of Parliament of constituency 110, the constituency hosting the new branch, Hon. Kadijah Davis said they are pleased with the UBA for bringing their branch to their doorstep. She promised to give the bank the necessary support for them to have a good stay in her constituency. She urged staffs of UBA to be role models and that as staffs, they have a role to play for the bank to succeed.
In his commissioning statement, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone H.E John Henry Omaku said UBA is a global bank that has made a name for itself in the banking sector across the world, noting that UBA is here to make more impact and that they are here to change the narratives of the banking system in Sierra Leone.
The ceremony was climaxed with the cutting of tapes, followed by entertainment.
