United Capital Plc has announced plans to expand its presence across Africa and strengthen its retail financial services after its Assets Under Management (AUM) grew beyond N2 trillion, marking another major milestone for the investment firm.
The company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ashade, revealed the plans during the United Capital Investor Relations Roundtable held in Lagos. He said the company has experienced remarkable growth over the past eight years, evolving from a traditional capital market operator into a diversified financial services group with seven operating businesses and two associate companies.
Ashade explained that when he became CEO in July 2018, the company’s Assets Under Management were below N100 billion. Since then, the business has expanded rapidly, surpassing its initial target of N1 trillion in 2022 before crossing the N2 trillion mark in 2026.
According to him, the steady increase in assets reflects the growing confidence that investors and clients have in the company’s services and long-term business strategy.
He also highlighted the company’s strong performance for shareholders, noting that shareholder value has grown by more than 2,500 percent over the past eight years. In addition, United Capital has consistently rewarded investors by paying interim dividends for three consecutive years alongside its regular final dividends.
As part of its long-term investment strategy, the company recently acquired a five percent stake in the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). Ashade described the investment as an important step that aligns with the firm’s vision of creating sustainable value for shareholders.
Beyond Nigeria, United Capital is expanding its footprint across 12 African countries, including Rwanda and Ethiopia. The company believes that growing its operations across the continent will not only strengthen its business but also contribute to Africa’s economic integration and investment opportunities.
Looking ahead, Ashade said the company plans to introduce several new financial products and strategic initiatives between August and December 2026. These products are expected to improve access to retail financial services while strengthening the company’s digital platforms and customer experience.
He added that United Capital will continue investing heavily in technology, research, risk management and investor relations to ensure sustainable growth. Future expansion, he noted, will focus only on African markets that fit the company’s long-term business objectives.
Speaking on Nigeria’s economic outlook, United Capital’s Group Chief Economist, Ayodele Akinwunmi, expressed optimism about the country’s growth prospects. He projected that Nigeria’s economy could expand by around 4 percent in 2026 as economic reforms continue to attract investment into key sectors.
According to him, industries such as banking, construction, oil and gas, consumer goods and infrastructure are expected to benefit from ongoing reforms and increased economic activity.
Akinwunmi also said Nigeria’s growing exports of refined petroleum products, aviation fuel and fertiliser are helping reduce dependence on imports, improve foreign exchange stability and strengthen the country’s external reserves. He added that diaspora remittances and foreign portfolio investments are also supporting the economy.
He expects interest rates to decline gradually during the second half of the year as inflation slows, making borrowing more affordable for businesses and encouraging investment in the capital market.
The economist advised investors to focus on long-term wealth creation rather than short-term market fluctuations, stressing that consistent investing and reinvesting dividends have historically produced stronger financial returns over time.
