United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has emerged the winner of the African category at the 2026 Banker Technology Awards, recognised for its innovations in digital payments, e-business, and the use of artificial intelligence to drive seamless cross-border banking across more than 20 African market.

UBA’s Executive Director Designate, Digital Banking, Emmanuel Lamptey, who received the award on behalf of the bank, said UBA remains committed to driving digital banking innovation across the continent.

“Africa’s financial future will not be built on branches or borders. It will be built on intelligence, interoperability, and trust at scale,” he said.

In its assessment of UBA’s winning entry, The banker noted that “the bank has cemented its status as a leading digital operator by placing technology at the centre of its growth strategy across more than 20 countries, with this approach most visible in its work on cross-border transfers, spanning digital payments, AI-driven engagement, and e-business”

UBA’s recognition centres on integrating Leo, its AI-powered chatbot, with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), enabling customers to send funds across borders in local currencies via a conversational interface.

Lamptey added that the bank’s investment in Leo was aimed at reducing the cost and friction that has long defined cross-border payments on the continent.

“Across a continent where cross-border transfers have historically been slow and costly, Leo reduces friction at the point of transaction, removing reliance on traditional banking channels without requiring customers to change how they communicate,” he said.

Meanwhile, UBA has also relaunched its RedApp mobile banking platform following a comprehensive upgrade designed to deliver a faster, more intuitive digital banking experience for customers across the bank’s markets.