United Bank for Africa (UBA) has reaffirmed its commitment to building stronger partnerships between traditional banks and financial technology firms across the continent. The bank made this known during its inaugural pan-African fintech conference, where industry players gathered to discuss the future of digital finance and collaboration.The conference brought together over 20 fintech companies and key stakeholders, including global payment firms and regulators, to explore how cooperation can drive financial innovation and inclusion in Africa.
Speaking at the event, UBA’s Executive Director for Digital Banking, Emmanuel Lamptey, stressed the importance of synergy between both sectors. According to him, “The future is not banks versus fintechs, but banks with fintechs. When we combine scale, trust, and regulatory depth with innovation and agility, we unlock a financial system that works for far more Africans.” His message reflected a broader shift in the financial industry, from competition to collaboration, as both banks and fintechs recognise the benefits of working together to reach more customers and improve services.
Participants at the conference examined key issues such as regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity, digital payments, and emerging technologies shaping the financial ecosystem. Industry experts noted that while innovation continues to open new opportunities, it also introduces risks that must be carefully managed. A representative from Mastercard highlighted how the evolution of payment systems has influenced financial services in Nigeria and beyond. He explained that “Each wave of innovation: instant payments, cards, gateways, and now AI, has expanded opportunity while introducing new risks. Collaboration is what ensures progress is sustained, not disrupted.”
Fintech leaders also emphasised the urgency of breaking down barriers that slow integration between banks and technology platforms. One speaker noted that “Collaboration is no longer optional. The priority now is speed; how quickly we can remove the barriers between fintechs and banks to unlock scale.” UBA used the platform to showcase its own digital advancements, particularly its AI-powered assistant, Leo. The bank revealed that the platform now enables users to carry out transactions through conversational interactions, including transfers and foreign exchange operations. This reflects growing customer adoption and increased investment in smart banking solutions.
Another key topic at the conference was cybersecurity, especially as financial systems become more reliant on artificial intelligence. Experts warned that financial institutions must match innovation with strong security systems to protect users from evolving threats.
A UBA executive noted that Cybersecurity is now AI versus AI. As institutions innovate to improve customer experience, they must invest just as aggressively in defending against evolving threats.
The conference ended with a shared agreement among participants that collaboration remains essential for the future of finance in Africa. Stakeholders believe that stronger partnerships will help expand financial inclusion, improve system resilience, and unlock long-term economic growth across the continent. UBA, one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, continues to position itself at the forefront of digital transformation, serving millions of customers while driving innovation through strategic alliances.
