(Business in Cameroon) – Seventy-three Cameroonians have joined the staff of Nigerian banking group United Bank for Africa (UBA) through the Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP), an intensive six-month initiative designed to strengthen the technical skills and leadership capabilities of young African professionals.
The graduation ceremony was held on Oct. 19, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. Chukwuma Nweke, UBA’s Deputy Managing Director, praised the perseverance and determination of the graduates, calling them the “next generation of innovators, leaders, and ambassadors of a lasting legacy for Africa.”
“You are not just graduates; you are leaders in the making. The future of Africa will not be a matter of chance, but of competent and courageous men and women like you,” Nweke said.
Launched in 2023, the GMAP combines classroom training, digital simulations, field assignments, and mentorship from the group’s senior executives. The program ensures participants gain practical experience in the rapidly changing financial sector.
Twenty-nine Cameroonians graduated in the first cohort in 2023, followed by 44 more in the second edition in 2025, bringing the total to 73 young professionals now employed at UBA Cameroon. This integration illustrates the group’s strategy favoring youth employment and local skills development.
“UBA Cameroon is proud to support young Cameroonian talent and offer them a platform for growth within a globally recognized financial institution,” said Jude Anele, CEO of UBA Cameroon. He added that the initiative “is fully aligned with the bank’s vision of promoting sustainable employment and youth leadership development.”
The UBA Group, which operates in 20 African countries, is among the continent’s major employers with over 25,000 staff. In 2024, UBA Cameroon’s net profit reached 26.3 billion XAF, marking a 51% year-on-year increase and placing the local subsidiary among the group’s top performers.
Frédéric Nonos
