Marufatu Abiola Bawuah is leading the charge for financial inclusion across Africa as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UBA Africa. Appointed in January 2023, she became the first female CEO to oversee United Bank for Africa’s operations across 19 African countries, excluding Nigeria. Her appointment marked a historic milestone, solidifying her as a transformative leader in the African banking sector.
Bawuah’s journey of resilience and determination
Born on 25 September 1968 in Aflao, Ghana, Bawuah’s path to success was shaped by humble beginnings. Facing financial difficulties, she sold groundnuts to support her education. Determined to succeed, she attended Achimota School for her secondary education before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Her banking career took off when she joined UBA Ghana as Managing Director and CEO, where she led the bank to significant growth. Under her leadership, UBA Ghana expanded its branch network from 25 to 28 branches and increased its ATMs from 37 to 57, improving accessibility for customers across major cities.
Bawuah later served as Regional CEO for West Africa, overseeing UBA’s operations in nine countries, including Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Her ability to drive financial growth and innovation positioned her for her elevation to CEO of UBA Africa.
Expanding UBA’s financial footprint across Africa
UBA is a pan-African financial institution serving over 35 million customers through over 1,000 branches in 20 African countries. Beyond Africa, the bank is in major financial centres such as New York, London, Paris, and the UAE, facilitating cross-border banking, trade finance, and digital financial solutions.
As CEO, Marufatu Abiola Bawuah is focused on expanding financial inclusion by leveraging digital banking and innovative financial products. Her leadership has led to the profitability of UBA’s African subsidiaries, which now contribute approximately 50% of the group’s earnings. In 2024, UBA recorded a significant 83.2% growth in gross revenues, rising to N2.398 trillion, up from N1.308 trillion in 2023. This impressive performance underscores the impact of her strategic initiatives and commitment to driving banking accessibility across the continent.
Championing Education and Women’s Empowerment
Beyond her corporate achievements, Bawuah is dedicated to philanthropy, particularly empowering young girls through education. In 2018, she founded the Abiola Bawuah Foundation (ABF), a nonprofit organisation that supports underprivileged girls in Ghana by providing education, mentorship, and financial assistance.
A key initiative of ABF is the “100 Girls Support Project”, launched on 11 October 2018 in honour of the International Day of the Girl Child. The project provides full educational sponsorships to brilliant but financially disadvantaged girls. By October 2020, the foundation had already supported 70 girls, including five with physical disabilities, across various levels of education.
Bawuah’s passion for educational empowerment stems from her experience—she credits her success to a benevolent sponsor who funded her education at Achimota School. In recognition of her contributions, she received the “Humanitarian of the Year” award in 2021 for her efforts in transforming the lives of young girls through education.
Through her visionary leadership, strategic expansion of financial services, and dedication to social impact, Marufatu Aviola Bawuah is reshaping banking across Africa. As she continues to drive financial inclusion at UBA Africa, her influence extends beyond the boardroom, creating opportunities for millions and leaving a lasting legacy in African banking.
