UBA and BII Sign Trade Finance Partnership Intent in London

United Bank for Africa (UBA) and British International Investment (BII), the United Kingdom's development finance institution, signed a letter of intent on March 16, 2026, in London to explore a strategic partnership aimed at expanding trade finance access for businesses across Africa.

The agreement focuses on addressing a persistent trade finance gap estimated by the African Development Bank at more than $80 billion annually. This shortfall particularly affects small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often face difficulties obtaining essential tools like letters of credit, guarantees, and supply chain financing on affordable terms. Such limitations hinder their ability to engage in competitive export and import activities, constraining overall economic growth on the continent.

Under the proposed collaboration, UBA UK, the London-based subsidiary of UBA Group, will draw on its extensive network spanning 20 African countries to identify, originate, and structure trade finance transactions. BII, with its mandate to promote productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth, will provide support for deals that exceed the risk tolerance of traditional commercial lenders,...