Growing the Seed
...Wherever you go
in Africa, we are
essentially the same.
The African spirit
of brotherhood and
compassion remains
as alive here as
it is... across the
African continent.”
October - December 2016 •
The Lion King
• 23
What ambitions do you have for UBA
Uganda?
UBA Uganda represents UBA’s
pioneer country activities in the East
and Southern Africa sub-region.
This demonstrates the strategic
significance of this specific market to
the long term growth plans of the UBA
Group.
My ambition as CEO is to increase
UBA’s market share by acquiring new
customers as well as to improve loyalty
among existing customers through
providing unmatched customer
service.
We are leveraging our digital
capabilities and increasing our
customer touch points to provide
convenient banking. We are also
building
strategic
relationships
and partnerships the government,
education institutions and other key
stakeholders in the Uganda economy
by providing e-solutions in niche
segments.
You have had extensive experience
playing significant roles in Nigeria,
how would this experience help you in
your new role?
The banking industry world over is
largely driven by regulation, economic
trends, technological advances,
changes in customer preferences and
competition.
Interestingly, what I have observed
is that while customers are still
concerned about financial stability,
their primary concerns are enhanced
service quality, more innovation and
greater convenience. For example,
Some pundits believe Africa is the
continent of the future. What are your
views on this?
Africa is indeed the new frontier
for business and investment. A
considerably young and ever
growing population provides a great
opportunity for growth in key sectors
like manufacturing, infrastructure
development,
information
technology, communication, energy
and agriculture. In addition, most
African countries have seen a growth
in their middle class. This comes
as a result of increased personal
incomes presenting an opportunity
for businesses and investors across the
continent.
I also wish to point out that I am a
believer in Africapitalism, a philosophy
developed by our Group Chairman,
Mr Tony Elumelu with a call for African’s
private sector to play a leading
role in the continent’s development
through entrepreneurship, long-term
investments and value added growth
among others. It is through such
strategic investments that Africa will
achieve her full potential and indeed
the continent of the future.
Beyond banking, what other passions
do you have?
I am passionate about my family,
sports and newadventures. Sometimes
I imagine that if I wasn’t a banker,
maybe I would have been a world
class athlete.
What would you describe as an ideal
‘good day’ at work?
An ideal day at work for me would
definitely include a new deal signed
or happy customer reports from the
previous day. It would also have
productive meetings with different
members of the team to go through
strategies that would move the bank
forward. I also always look forward
to meeting with potential clients and
strategic partners of the bank.
How do you maintain a good work-life
balance?
From my early days as a professional,
I have always believed that once one
plans out their day and lives up to
that plan, your work life would never
have to slide into your personal life.
So I endeavour to split the two. I love
to have fun, watch a movie, or enjoy
time with my family when they are
in town. It’s all about principles that
person sets for themselves and the
appreciation that your social/personal
time is just as important as the time
you devote to work.
customers are shifting their preferences
to alternative channels.
Understanding what is important to
individual customers and customer
segments as well as adopting a
relentless approach to developing
outstanding customer service across
all our touch points is the key to
understanding the market place and
staying ahead of competition.
What challenges do you envisage in
your new role?
The banking industry should expect
3 major trends that will shape the
next few years. These are continued
digitalization of delivery channels and
banking services, increased activities
of new disruptors such as telecom
companies and the rise of customer
choices and advocacy.
It’s also worth noting that we live
in a world with rapidly changing
demographics. Uganda is one of the
youngest nations in the world with
more than 70% of its population below
the age of 30 years. The changing
demographics provide a unique set
of challenges that include the need
to remain relevant even as customer
trends change.
All these have driven higher levels of
competition across the market and
customers have naturally started to
differentiate their banks based on their
experience when interacting with the
banks.
What advice do you have for investors
looking to come into the Ugandan
market?
Uganda is a country that offers a wide
range of investment opportunities and
a well-educated domestic labour
force. Because of the country’s young
economy, the potential and choice
of investment opportunities is much
wider for the prospective investor than
would be the case in many other
economies.
For any investor looking to come into
the Ugandan market, my advice
is simple; success is a direct result
of strong partnerships that spur
real growth. Choose strong reliable
partners. Say for example, you need
a banking partner; choosing UBA,
a bank with presence in three of
the major economic blocs in Africa
namely East African Community,
ECOWAS and SADDAC would be a
strong financial partner for growth
even beyond Uganda’s borders.
