UBA Kenya Recognized for Outstanding Performance in Commercial Banking

UBA Kenya has been awarded the Excellence in Commercial Banking Award 2026 during the 26th Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards East Africa, in recognition of its leadership in delivering digital innovation in cross-border trade and payment solutions.

The recognition comes at a time when the ability to move money seamlessly across borders is becoming central to how businesses operate and scale across Africa.

As trade within Africa accelerates under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) a market of over 1.4 billion people and approximately USD 3.4 trillion in GDP, the demand for faster, more efficient, and cost-effective cross-border payment solutions continues to grow. Yet, inefficiencies such as delayed settlements, high transaction costs, and foreign exchange complexities remain key barriers, particularly for SMEs.

UBA Kenya has positioned itself as a critical enabler of cross-border trade by providing integrated, digital-first payment solutions that allow businesses to transact seamlessly across the continent.

With a presence in 20 African countries, UBA offers a unique pan-African banking network supported by platforms such as:

• PAPSS (Pan-African Payment and Settlement System) – enabling real-time payments in local currencies;
• UBA Connect – allowing customers to operate one account seamlessly across multiple African markets where the bank is present;
• Africash – facilitating fast and accessible cross-border transfers;
• API-enabled banking solutions – supporting embedded payments and digital trade ecosystems.

These capabilities enable businesses in Kenya to pay, receive, and manage funds across Africa faster, more securely, and with greater cost efficiency, reducing reliance on external currencies and improving working capital cycles.

In addition to the Bank’s recognition, Ms. Mary Mulili, MD/CEO, UBA Kenya, was honored with the Outstanding Leadership in Banking Award, acknowledging her leadership in driving innovation, growth, and transformation within the banking sector.

Commenting on the award, Ms. Mulili said: “This recognition reflects our commitment to delivering solutions that matter to our customers. As businesses increasingly look beyond borders, our focus is on leveraging digital innovation to make cross-border trade simpler, faster, and more accessible. At UBA Kenya, we are building the infrastructure that enables our customers to trade, grow, and compete across Africa with confidence.”

UBA Kenya is committed to supporting SMEs, corporates, and public sector institutions by simplifying cross-border transactions and enabling participation in Africa’s expanding trade ecosystem.

The Bank’s approach is anchored on digital innovation, regional connectivity, and customer-centric solutions, positioning it as a preferred partner for businesses seeking to expand beyond Kenya into the broader African market.

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