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United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has achieved a major breakthrough in digital banking with the launch of cross-border payment functionality on its Artificial Intelligence chatbot, LEO—making it the first AI-powered chatbot in Africa to facilitate international transactions across the continent.
According to a statement from the bank, this innovative solution enables seamless, real-time money transfers within Africa, leveraging the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), an initiative supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The system allows individuals, SMEs, and corporates to send and receive funds in local currencies between participating African countries where PAPSS has been approved by the respective central banks.
Speaking on the development, UBA’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said:
“The introduction of cross-border payments on LEO, in partnership with PAPSS, reflects our commitment to digital innovation, Pan-African integration, and customer-centric banking. This is not just a banking upgrade; it is a bold leap into the future of African finance.”
The new UBA PAPSS Instant Payment via LEO offers several advantages including near-instant fund transfers, user access through self-service digital channels, reduced processing fees, and zero charges for beneficiaries. The platform also incorporates advanced security features and expands remittance options for users.
Commenting further, Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fasola, stated:
“This is a transformative step in Africa’s financial services landscape. With LEO now fully integrated with the PAPSS infrastructure, UBA customers can send and receive money across African borders in their local currencies within seconds. We’re not just simplifying transactions – we’re fostering intra-African trade and breaking down longstanding barriers to financial inclusion.”
This digital milestone is expected to support informal trade formalisation and advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enhancing transactional ease for traders, individuals, and businesses.
Operating in 20 African countries and maintaining international offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the UAE, UBA serves more than 45 million customers and employs over 25,000 people globally. The bank continues to lead in digital transformation, financial inclusion, and innovation across the African continent.
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