In a display of financial resilience and strategic prowess, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has reported an impressive Profit After Tax (PAT) of N335 billion for the first half of 2025. This milestone, announced in the bank’s unaudited financial results for the period ending June 30, 2025, underscores UBA’s ability to navigate a challenging economic landscape while delivering substantial value to its shareholders and stakeholders. The bank’s performance reflects strong earnings growth, a fortified balance sheet, and a commitment to sustainable banking practices, positioning UBA as a formidable player in Africa’s financial services sector.
A Stellar Financial Performance
UBA’s financial results for the first half of 2025 highlight a Profit After Tax of N335 billion, marking a significant achievement in a period marked by economic volatility in Nigeria and across the African continent. This figure represents a robust increase in profitability, driven by the bank’s diversified revenue streams, operational efficiency, and strategic focus on digital transformation. The bank’s ability to achieve such a substantial PAT reflects its resilience in the face of macroeconomic headwinds, including inflationary pressures, currency fluctuations, and regulatory changes in Nigeria’s banking sector.
The bank’s gross earnings for the period were equally impressive, reaching N1.37 trillion, a 39.6% increase from the N981.7 billion recorded in the first half of 2024. This growth in gross earnings underscores UBA’s ability to capitalize on its extensive network, innovative product offerings, and strong customer base across its 20 African markets and global operations in cities such as London, New York, Paris, and Dubai. The surge in earnings was driven by a combination of interest income, fee-based income, and gains from foreign exchange transactions, reflecting UBA’s diversified business model.
Dividend Payouts: Rewarding Shareholders
In line with its commitment to delivering value to shareholders, UBA declared an interim dividend of N2.00 per share for the first half of 2025, a significant increase from the N0.50 per share paid in the corresponding period of 2024. This fourfold increase in dividend payout reflects the bank’s confidence in its financial health and its ability to generate sustainable returns. The decision to boost the interim dividend also signals UBA’s optimistic outlook for the remainder of the financial year, as it seeks to reward investors while maintaining sufficient capital to support future growth initiatives.
The interim dividend payout is particularly noteworthy given the challenging operating environment in Nigeria, where banks have had to contend with rising interest rates, currency devaluation, and regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening the financial system. UBA’s ability to increase its dividend payout demonstrates its strong capital position and prudent financial management, which have enabled it to balance shareholder rewards with the need for reinvestment in its operations.
Balance Sheet Expansion
UBA’s balance sheet growth further underscores its financial strength, with total assets rising by 37.2% to N28.3 trillion as of June 30, 2025, compared to N20.65 trillion at the end of 2024. This significant expansion reflects the bank’s ability to grow its asset base while maintaining a focus on quality and risk management. The increase in total assets was driven by growth in loans and advances, investment securities, and cash balances, all of which highlight UBA’s strategic efforts to deepen its market penetration and support economic activities across its operating regions.
Customer deposits also saw a remarkable increase, rising by 33.7% to N23.3 trillion from N17.3 trillion in December 2024. This growth in deposits reflects the confidence that customers—ranging from individuals to large corporations—have in UBA’s stability and service quality. The bank’s ability to attract and retain deposits in a competitive market is a testament to its strong brand, innovative
