UBA, Renewvia Solar Partner To Power Nigerian Branches With Clean Energy

In a major boost to sustainable banking and Nigeria’s renewable energy drive, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has partnered with Renewvia Solar Nigeria to deploy clean energy solutions across 25 of its branches in five states.

The partnership, formalised during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the UBA Oba Akran 2 branch in Ikeja, Lagos, was attended by the Nordic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Svein Bæra, who described the initiative as a model for collaboration between African ambition and Nordic innovation.

The project, backed by Norway’s Empower New Energy and Incremental Energy Solutions (IES), will deliver 152,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy monthly, cutting UBA’s carbon emissions by over 89,000 kilograms of CO₂ every month.

Under a 10-year Power as a Service agreement, Renewvia will install advanced solar and battery hybrid systems to improve energy reliability, operational efficiency, and customer experience across UBA’s branches.

The full rollout will eventually cover 50 branches in 18 states, representing 3 MWp of solar capacity and 7 MWh of storage.

UBA Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, had earlier called for stronger global collaboration at the Norway–Africa Business Summit in Oslo, urging investors to view Africa as a continent of enterprise rather than aid dependency.

“Africa needs partners, not charity,” Elumelu said, stressing that sustainable investment and innovation are key to unlocking the continent’s potential.

UBA Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, said the partnership reflected the bank’s deep commitment to sustainability and Africa’s future.

“This project demonstrates how innovation and partnership can deliver lasting impact, reducing our carbon footprint, improving efficiency, and contributing to a cleaner environment,” he said.

Renewvia Solar Nigeria Managing Director, Adebowale Dosunmu, described the project as a milestone in Nigeria’s commercial energy transformation.

“We are proud to support UBA’s leadership in sustainability and operational excellence,” he stated.

Oladipupo Omodara, CEO of Incremental Energy Solutions, praised UBA’s management for its cooperation and forward-thinking approach, saying the collaboration reinforced Africa’s capacity for global energy investment and technology advancement.

Empower New Energy CEO, Terje Osmundsen, noted that the initiative demonstrates the strength of Nordic-African cooperation in driving the continent’s energy transition.

“We are proud to finance this landmark project, which supports UBA’s commitment to cleaner and more reliable power,” he said.

The Nordic Ambassador, Mr Svein Bæra, commended the project as a shining example of sustainable partnership, calling it “a strong statement of shared commitment to growth and climate responsibility.”

The collaboration underscores UBA’s leadership in integrating renewable energy into banking operations and advancing Africa’s green transition.

It also aligns with Elumelu’s vision of transforming Africa through entrepreneurship, private sector leadership, and strategic global partnerships that create jobs, build capacity, and unlock long-term value across both continents.