UBA Leads Corporate Support For SMEs At Seventh Lagos Trade Fair

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and driving African economic growth by sponsoring the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) for the seventh consecutive year.

Organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the trade fair opened on Friday, November 7, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos, and will run until November 17, 2025.

The event is expected to attract thousands of exhibitors, investors, and visitors from Nigeria and across the globe.

In line with its customer-first approach, UBA has set up a full-service branch within the fairground, where account holders performing transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, or transfers will automatically qualify for a “Lucky Dip” draw, offering the chance to win a variety of premium prizes.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Babatunde Ajayi, UBA’s Head of SME Banking, emphasised the strategic significance of the bank’s long-standing partnership with LCCI, noting that the collaboration is central to UBA’s mission to mobilise capital and empower enterprises, particularly SMEs, for global competitiveness.

“Our consistent support for the LITF and our strategic, bank-wide initiatives around the AfCFTA are interconnected.

They reflect a deep-seated commitment to building the robust financial architecture required to empower African businesses and enable seamless cross-border trade,” Ajayi stated.

Alero Ladipo, UBA’s Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, positioned the bank’s participation within the framework of its vision for Africa’s economic transformation, as outlined in its recently published white paper on achieving a $4 trillion continental economy.

“The LITF is a key platform through which UBA translates our white paper’s ambitious goals into tangible action.

By connecting businesses, facilitating commerce, and supporting SME growth, we demonstrate our commitment to turning a bold vision into reality for millions of Africans,” Ladipo said.

She added that strategic partnerships, combined with digital innovations and cross-border trade solutions, form the foundation for sustainable, inclusive growth that benefits corporations, SMEs, and individual entrepreneurs across the continent.

UBA is among Africa’s largest employers in the financial sector, with 25,000 employees and over 45 million customers globally.

The bank operates in 20 African countries as well as the United Kingdom, United States, France, and the UAE, offering retail, commercial, and institutional banking services while promoting financial inclusion through innovative technology.