In a move to deepen economic ties between Nigeria and Norway and promote sustainable development, United Bank for Africa (UBA) has partnered with Renewvia Solar Nigeria to deploy renewable energy solutions across 25 UBA branches in five Nigerian states.
The initiative was formally launched at a Ribbon Cutting ceremony held at the UBA Oba Akran 2 branch in Ikeja, Lagos, with the Nordic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Svein Bæra, leading the event.
The ceremony included a walkthrough of the Inverter/Battery Room and operations facilitated by the Renewvia team.
The project reflects UBA’s commitment to sustainable investment and innovation, a principle strongly emphasised by UBA Group Chairman, Tony O.
Elumelu, CFR, during the recent Norway–Africa Business Summit in Oslo. Elumelu urged global partners to view Africa as a continent of opportunity rather than a destination for aid.
The partnership channels Nordic investment and African innovation into tangible, long-term impact. Supported by Empower New Energy, a leading Norway-based renewable energy investor, and Incremental Energy Solutions (IES), the project will deliver 152,000 kWh of clean energy monthly during its first phase, reducing UBA’s carbon footprint by over 89,000 kilograms of CO₂ per month.
Under a ten-year Power-as-a-Service agreement, Renewvia Solar will install advanced solar and battery hybrid systems across UBA branches, improving operational efficiency, power reliability, and customer experience. Once fully rolled out, the programme will cover 50 branches across 18 states, generating 3 MWp of solar capacity and 7 MWh of energy storage.
UBA’s Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, emphasised the strategic importance of sustainability, saying: “At UBA, sustainability is not only a responsibility but also a key component of building Africa’s future. This project demonstrates how innovation and partnership can deliver lasting impact, reduce our carbon footprint, and improve operational efficiency.”
Managing Director of Renewvia Solar Nigeria, Adebowale Dosunmu, added: “This partnership marks a major milestone in our mission to provide reliable, clean energy to commercial and industrial clients across Nigeria. We are proud to support UBA’s leadership in sustainability and operational excellence.”
CEO of Incremental Energy Solutions, Oladipupo Omodara, said: “We are delighted with the cooperation and proactive support of UBA management, which made this project possible. This partnership reinforces our commitment to positioning Africa at the forefront of global energy investment and technology deployment.”
CEO of Empower New Energy, Terje Osmundsen, noted: “We are proud to provide financing for this landmark project. It reflects our mission to enable African businesses to access sustainable power and demonstrates the strength of Nordic–African collaboration in accelerating the energy transition.”
Ambassador Svein Bæra commended the partnership as an exemplary model of African ambition meeting Nordic investment and innovation.
“This initiative represents not just an energy milestone, but a shared commitment to sustainable growth and climate responsibility,” he said.
The collaboration underlines UBA’s leadership in integrating renewable energy into its operations, reducing emissions, and supporting cleaner, more reliable power systems in Nigeria.
It also aligns with Tony Elumelu’s vision of transforming Africa through private sector leadership, entrepreneurship, and strategic global partnerships, creating jobs, building capacity, and unlocking long-term value for both continents.