• UBA will appoint a Congolese national as CEO of UBA DRC and add nine Congolese board members.
• The bank plans to expand from 3 to 21 branches by 2028 and target USD 1.8 billion in deposits.
• UBA DRC grew net profit 388% in 2024, reaching 21 billion naira.

United Bank for Africa Chairman Tony Elumelu announced a sweeping localisation plan for UBA Democratic Republic of Congo after meeting President Félix Tshisekedi on November 16, 2025. Elumelu outlined the changes during a visit to Kinshasa, according to a summary posted by the presidency on X.

The presidency stated that UBA DRC will appoint a Congolese national to lead the subsidiary. It added that nine Congolese members will join the board as part of a strategy to progressively “Congolize” the management structure. The subsidiary is currently led by Nigerian national Sampson Aneke, who is supported by Deputy Managing Director Gisèle Bondo, appointed in February 2024.

Elumelu said the bank plans to extend its branch network into several provinces across the country. “We believe in the potential of the DRC, especially its youth. The opening of new branches will help create jobs,” he said.

UBA has operated in the DRC since 2011. The bank currently maintains branches in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Matadi. The group detailed in its 2024 Pillar Report that its 2024–2028 strategic plan targets a major expansion—growing from three to 21 branches by 2028 and increasing its ATM network. The subsidiary also aims to reach a deposit base of $1.8 billion over the same period.

UBA DRC significantly increased its contribution to group results in 2024. The bank reported a net profit of 21 billion naira, compared with 4.3 billion naira in 2023. This performance marks a 388% year-on-year increase, according to documents reviewed by Bankable. The results mainly reflect growth in operating income, which rose from 4.3 billion to 22.8 billion naira.

Elumelu said the group also plans to expand its involvement in infrastructure financing in the DRC. Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, he reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurship. Since the launch of the foundation’s programme, 350 young Congolese entrepreneurs have received financial support.

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum