UBA Ghana
UBA Ghana is a licensed commercial bank in Accra serving retail, SME, corporate, and diaspora customers across all 16 regions with digital banking, AI chatbot LEO, PAPSS cross-border payments, and AfCFTA-linked SME financing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersAccra, Ghana
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What UBA Ghana does
UBA Ghana (United Bank for Africa Ghana Ltd.) is a licensed commercial bank headquartered in Accra, Ghana, and the pioneering subsidiary of the pan-African United Bank for Africa Group (UBA Plc, listed on the Nigerian Exchange). Founded in 2004 and regulated by the Bank of Ghana, the bank serves retail, SME, corporate, and diaspora customers across all 16 regions of Ghana, operating a universal banking franchise from a network of branches, agency banking agents, ATMs, and POS terminals.
The bank's product architecture combines traditional retail and wholesale banking with a digital-first overlay. Core digital channels include the LEO AI chatbot (deployed on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Apple Messages, with PAPSS integration for cross-border payments), a USSD platform (*822#) for feature-phone users, a mobile banking application on iOS and Android, and an internet banking portal. Account offerings span Target, Teens, Kiddies, NextGen, Ruby, Lion Prime, Domiciliary Advantage, and Diaspora variants. Payment cards include Visa-branded prepaid and debit cards, plus the co-branded JCS Green Card. Specialized offerings include AfriCash for cross-UBA remittances, PAPSS-enabled cross-border transfers, UBA X AfCFTA SME financing (working capital and asset finance loans up to USD 150,000), trade services, and cash management. The bank also pioneered Braille account opening forms, approved by the Bank of Ghana, to serve visually impaired customers.
UBA Ghana generates revenue through five streams: interest income on retail, SME, and corporate loans; transaction and remittance fees (AfriCash, Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, Wari); cross-border payment fees via PAPSS; forex income from currency trading and multi-currency domiciliary accounts; and digital/agency banking commissions. Distribution combines direct retail branches, agent banking networks, self-service digital channels, and field-based relationship management for enterprise, SME, and AfCFTA-linked clients. As of Q3 2025, total assets stood at GHS 11.31 billion, customer deposits at GHS 8.19 billion, the NPL ratio at 2.11% (lowest in the Ghanaian banking industry), and the capital adequacy ratio at 20.46%. For FY2025, profit before tax reached GHS 629.93 million (+148% YoY) and profit after tax GHS 407.10 million.
UBA Ghana firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UBA Ghana
- Legal name
- United Bank for Africa Ghana Ltd.
- Website
- https://ubaghana.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- UBA Ghana is a licensed commercial bank in Accra serving retail, SME, corporate, and diaspora customers across all 16 regions with digital banking, AI chatbot LEO, PAPSS cross-border payments, and AfCFTA-linked SME financing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UBA Ghana industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retail Banking
- NAICS
- Commercial Banking (52211)
- SIC
- National Commercial Banks (6021), State Commercial Banks (6022)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General SME & Middle-Market Commercial Banking (FSABABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services (FSAMAIAG), Account & Balance Services (Operating accounts, statements, eBAM) (FSABAIAD), SME Trade Finance & Working Capital (LCs, Guarantees, Receivables) (FSABABAF)
Keywords
Where UBA Ghana is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Accra
- HQ country
- Ghana
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
UBA Ghana business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Interest Income: Interest earned on loans and advances to retail, SME, and corporate customers, including AfCFTA-linked SME facilities and working capital loans up to USD150,000.
- Transaction and Fee Income: Fees earned from money transfers (AfriCash, Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria), card transactions, USSD banking, internet and mobile banking, and bill payments.
- Cross-Border Payment Fees: Revenue from cross-border payment services via PAPSS, enabling traders and corporates to transfer funds across African markets in local currencies with lower transaction processing fees.
- Forex Income: Foreign exchange revenue from currency trading and domiciliary account services across multiple currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, XOF, ZAR, CHF, CNH, and JPY.
- Digital Banking and Agency Banking: Revenue from POS terminal services, agency banking commissions, and mobile/internet banking transaction fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Legacy Savings Promo - 10% p.a. on deposit growth |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | UBA Green Card - GHS50 one-time |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Prepaid Card - Load & Win Promo |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | UBA X AfCFTA SME Financing |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Dormant Account Reactivation |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels10 records
Marketing channels10 records
UBA Ghana product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UBA Ghana is a universal bank offering retail, SME, corporate, and wholesale banking services in Ghana. Core offerings include savings and current accounts (Target, Teens, Kiddies, Next Gen, Ruby, Lion Prime, Domiciliary), Visa-branded cards, money transfer services (AfriCash, PAPSS, MoneyGram, Western Union, Ria, Wari), loans and trade finance, AfCFTA-linked SME financing, diaspora banking, and digital channels (mobile app, USSD *822#, internet banking, and the LEO AI chatbot on WhatsApp/Facebook Messenger). Cash management, POS terminals, and agency banking extend reach to merchants and underserved communities.
Product overview
UBA Ghana operates as a comprehensive universal banking platform offering a portfolio of digital-first products organized around three core pillars: AI-powered virtual banking (LEO chatbot), multi-channel digital banking (mobile app, internet banking, USSD), and traditional banking services. The product architecture combines a core digital banking infrastructure with specialized account types (NextGen, Kiddies, Teens, Diaspora), payment cards (Visa prepaid and debit), money transfer services (AfriCash, PAPSS, MoneyGram, Western Union, Ria, Wari), wholesale/SME solutions (UBA X AfCFTA, Trade Services, Cash Management), and community initiatives (UBA Business School, National Essay Competition). LEO serves as the unified AI-powered customer interface across WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Apple Messages, enabling natural language interactions for routine banking tasks. The bank also extends accessibility through Braille account forms and agency banking for financial inclusion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UBA LEO: AI-powered virtual banker chatbot available on WhatsApp, Facebook, and other social media platforms, enabling cross-border payments via PAPSS.
- UBA Foundation
- UBA Business School
- REDTV
- UBA X AfCFTA
Products and services
- LEO AI Virtual Banker Africa's first AI-powered chatbot providing 24/7 customer service, account inquiries, fund transfers, airtime purchases, and cross-border payments via PAPSS through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Apple Messages.
- UBA Mobile Banking App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling account management, transfers, bill payments, card services, and cross-border transactions for personal and business customers.
- UBA Internet Banking Web-based online banking platform providing secure account access and transactions via browser on computers, tablets, and mobile devices for personal and business customers.
- Magic Banking (USSD *822#) USSD-based banking service accessible by dialing *822# on any mobile phone, providing banking transactions without internet connectivity for feature phone users.
- Instant Bills Pay Digital bill payment service enabling immediate settlement of utilities, cable TV, internet, and other recurring payments.
- AfriCash Money Transfer UBA's proprietary money transfer service enabling customers to send and receive funds quickly across UBA branches in African countries.
- UBA PAPSS Cross-Border Payments
Quantifiable outcome
- NPL ratio reduced from 29.40% (2021) to 2.11% (2025)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use UBA Ghana
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UBA Ghana technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
UBA Ghana partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bank of Ghana (Fintech & Innovation Division)coreBank of Ghana's Head of Fintech and Innovation reaffirmed the central bank's commitment to developing regulatory frameworks supporting open banking, consumer protection, and cybersecurity while encouraging innovation. UBA hosted the inaugural UBA Fintech Conference 2026.
- Brussels AirlinesminorUBA Ghana and Brussels Airlines launched a summer travel campaign offering UBA customers an exclusive 15% discount on Brussels Airlines tickets. The initiative is part of UBA's strategy to provide value-added services beyond traditional banking, covering travel for holidays, business trips, educational travel, and family visits during peak summer season.
- Renewvia Energy CorporationcoreUBA partnered with Renewvia Energy Corporation to deploy solar microgrids across Nigerian operations, delivering cleaner energy to branches and reducing carbon emissions as part of UBA's ESG commitment.
- Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) / Afrexim BankcoreUBA's LEO chatbot integrated with PAPSS (developed in partnership with Afrexim Bank) became Africa's first AI-powered chatbot to enable cross-border payments, allowing instant money transfers in local currencies across African countries.
- JCS InvestmentsminorJCS Green Card, a co-branded Visa prepaid card introduced by JCS Investments and UBA Ghana, enables individuals to make a positive environmental and social impact with every purchase. Available for GHS50, internationally accepted, not linked to a bank account.
- Bank of GhanacoreUBA Ghana is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Ghana. Active in regulatory engagement, Ghana Card registration, and compliance with Bank of Ghana directives including the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and NPL management guidelines.
- VisaminorVisa prepaid, debit, and credit cards issued by UBA Ghana, accepted internationally at all Visa acceptance points for ATM, PoS, and web transactions. JCS Green Card also operates on Visa network.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights8 records
UBA Ghana competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CalBank: Ghanaian universal bank offering retail, corporate, and investment banking. Directly comparable in SME lending, digital channels, and trade finance.
- Ecobank Ghana: Pan-African commercial bank operating in Ghana as part of Ecobank Group (present in 33 African countries). Directly comparable as a fellow pan-African subsidiary bank competing in retail, SME, wholesale, and cross-border payments/cash management.
- Fidelity Bank Ghana: Ghanaian universal bank with strong SME and digital banking focus. Comparable product set across accounts, loans, mobile banking, and remittances.
- Zenith Bank Ghana: Nigerian-headquartered bank with Ghana operations; subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc. Similar pan-African commercial banking profile, serving retail, corporate, and SME clients with digital banking capabilities.
- GCB Bank: Largest indigenous Ghanaian commercial bank offering universal banking (retail, corporate, SME). Directly comparable product suite (accounts, cards, loans, digital, trade finance) and head-to-head competitor in Ghana.
- Standard Chartered Bank Ghana: International universal bank with full retail, corporate, and trade finance presence in Ghana. Comparable in wholesale banking, FX, trade services, and digital banking competition.
- Absa Bank Ghana: Universal bank in Ghana (formerly Barclays) offering retail, SME, and corporate banking. Competes on digital platforms, cards, and cross-border trade finance solutions.
- Stanbic Bank Ghana: Standard Bank subsidiary offering personal, business, and corporate banking in Ghana. Competes directly in retail accounts, SME financing, cash management, and digital channels.
Regional players
- Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) Ghana: Ghanaian state-linked development bank providing SME, agricultural, and retail banking. Comparable in SME and trade finance but with state ownership mandate and ESG-aligned lending focus.
Emerging players
- MTN Ghana Mobile Money (MoMo): Mobile money operator dominating P2P transfers, merchant payments, and micro-lending in Ghana. Competes directly with UBA Ghana's transaction-fee and remittance revenue; UBA integrates with MoMo but MoMo is the dominant fintech platform.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UBA Ghana social profiles
Digital presenceUBA Ghana compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
UBA Ghana financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UBA Ghana leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
UBA Ghana funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UBA Ghana M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UBA Ghana
What does UBA Ghana do?
UBA Ghana is a universal bank offering retail, SME, corporate, and wholesale banking services in Ghana. Core offerings include savings and current accounts (Target, Teens, Kiddies, Next Gen, Ruby, Lion Prime, Domiciliary), Visa-branded cards, money transfer services (AfriCash, PAPSS, MoneyGram, Western Union, Ria, Wari), loans and trade finance, AfCFTA-linked SME financing, diaspora banking, and digital channels (mobile app, USSD *822#, internet banking, and the LEO AI chatbot on WhatsApp/Facebook Messenger). Cash management, POS terminals, and agency banking extend reach to merchants and underserved communities.
Is UBA Ghana a public or private company?
UBA Ghana is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was UBA Ghana founded?
UBA Ghana was founded in 2004. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is UBA Ghana based?
UBA Ghana is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, in the Africa region.
How does UBA Ghana make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are transaction and Fee Income, cross-Border Payment Fees, forex Income and digital Banking and Agency Banking.
Who are UBA Ghana's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CalBank, Ecobank Ghana, Fidelity Bank Ghana, Zenith Bank Ghana, GCB Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, Absa Bank Ghana and Stanbic Bank Ghana. Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) Ghana is listed as a regional player. MTN Ghana Mobile Money (MoMo) is listed as an emerging player.
Does UBA Ghana have an API?
No public API is recorded for UBA Ghana.
What industry is UBA Ghana in?
UBA Ghana's product category is Retail Banking. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABABAA, General SME & Middle-Market Commercial Banking, with a secondary code of FSAMAIAG, Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services. Its NAICS code is 52211 and its SIC code is 6021.