United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has won the African category at the 2026 Banker Technology Awards. The bank was recognized for its work in digital payments, e-business, and its use of artificial intelligence for cross-border banking in over 20 African countries.
This year, the Banker Technology Awards received nearly 200 entries across 17 categories. The winners show a major change in how banks are using technology for payments, compliance, lending, and customer service.
The Banker praised UBA’s winning submission, saying, "the bank has cemented its status as a leading digital operator by placing technology at the centre of its growth strategy across more than 20 countries." This is especially clear in its efforts with cross-border transfers, digital payments, AI engagement, and e-business.
UBA’s award comes from its integration of Leo, an AI chatbot, with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). This allows customers to send money across borders in local currencies using a chat interface.
Emmanuel Lamptey, UBA’s Executive Director Designate for Digital Banking, accepted the award for the bank. He highlighted UBA’s goal to completely digitize banking across Africa.
"Africa’s financial future will not be built on branches or borders. It will be built on intelligence, interoperability, and trust at scale," Lamptey said.
He mentioned that investing in Leo was a direct answer to the high costs and delays that have historically affected cross-border payments in Africa. "Across a continent where cross-border transfers have historically been slow and costly, Leo reduces friction at the point of transaction," Lamptey said. He added that Leo removes the need for traditional banking channels while keeping communication simple for customers.
Alongside the award, UBA has relaunched its RedApp mobile banking platform after a major upgrade. The new application aims to provide a faster and easier digital banking experience for customers. It is available for download at https://on.ubagroup.com/redapp.
Alero Ladipo, UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, spoke about the relaunch. She said the updated RedApp represents a new way for the bank to serve its customers online.
"At UBA, we are constantly raising the bar on what digital banking should feel like. The new RedApp is faster, cleaner, and built around how our customers actually live and bank," Ladipo said. She invited customers to download the app on the Google Play Store for Android and the Apple App Store for iPhone.
Customers can download the upgraded RedApp now at https://on.ubagroup.com/redapp.
UBA is among the biggest employers in Africa’s financial sector, with 25,000 employees and over 45 million customers worldwide. It operates in twenty African nations, the UK, the US, France, and the UAE, offering retail, commercial, and institutional banking services while promoting financial inclusion and using new technology.
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