United Bank for Africa (UBA) has been recognised as the strongest Nigerian brand by Brand Finance, an independent brand valuation consultancy.
In its latest report, The Nigeria 25 2025, Brand Finance highlights a significant shift in Nigeria’s brand landscape, with banking brands dominating the top 10 rankings.
UBA surged from the ninth position in 2024 to become the strongest brand in 2025, earning a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.4/100 and a prestigious AAA+ rating, the highest accolade for brand strength awarded by Brand Finance.
Brand Finance attributes UBA’s remarkable performance to its commitment to digital banking, innovation, and technological investments, which have transformed its operations and elevated its customer experience.
The consultancy’s report commends UBA for excelling in brand familiarity, preference, and consideration metrics, demonstrating strong consumer trust and loyalty. Notably, UBA outperformed leading African banking peers such as South Africa’s Capitec and Kenya’s Equity Bank in price acceptance, further solidifying its market position.
“Over the past year, UBA has prioritised digital banking, innovation, and technology investments,” the report states. “These efforts are aimed at improving customer experience and enhancing engagement with consumers in the future.”
UBA’s influence extends beyond Nigeria. The bank now ranks as the 13th strongest banking brand globally among the top 500 banking brands.
Reacting to the achievement, Alero Ladipo, UBA Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication, attributed the success to deliberate efforts by the bank.
“This year’s ranking is no coincidence; it is the result of deliberate planning, strategic investments, and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction,” she said. “We remain steadfast in our mission to adapt to the evolving landscape, ensuring we consistently deliver exceptional value and keep our customers delighted.”
As one of Africa’s largest employers in the financial sector, UBA employs over 25,000 staff and serves more than 45 million customers worldwide. The bank operates in 20 African countries and has established a presence in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, offering retail, commercial, and institutional banking services.
UBA’s commitment to financial inclusion and leveraging cutting-edge technology has cemented its reputation as a trailblazer in Africa’s banking sector.
Following UBA closely is First Bank of Nigeria, which climbed from 11th to 2nd place in brand strength rankings, achieving an impressive BSI score of 92.1/100 and earning a prestigious AAA+ rating. The bank excelled across critical metrics such as familiarity, reputation, consideration, and preference.
According to Brand Finance, this advancement highlights First Bank’s commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and consistently delivering exceptional customer experiences.
“First Bank’s strategic initiatives have not only strengthened its market position but also elevated its brand perception, solidifying its leadership within the financial sector,” the report stated.
Brand Finance, renowned for its expertise in brand valuation and strategy, is an independent consultancy that evaluates the financial value and strength of brands globally. Its annual rankings provide valuable insights into industry trends and the factors driving brand growth.