United Bank for Africa has announced the appointment of Loknath Mishra as the Chief Executive Officer of its United Kingdom subsidiary.
The appointment, announced in a statement on Tuesday and becoming effective 2 February 2026, is said to reinforce the group’s commitment to strengthening its international footprint and enhancing its role as a key financial bridge between Africa and the world.
UBA UK plays a critical role within UBA Group’s international network, supporting African corporates, financial institutions, sovereigns and global partners through its strong capabilities in correspondent banking, trade finance, transaction banking and treasury services.
As CEO of UBA UK, Mishra will focus on positioning the UK subsidiary as a centre of excellence for regulatory compliance and customer service, strengthening financial resilience through diversified liquidity and income sources, as well as deepening UBA’s leadership in trade, transaction, and correspondent banking in support of business flows in and out of Africa.
According to the statement, Mishra brings to his new assignment several decades of international banking experience across retail, corporate, investment and transaction banking, with a distinguished track record of building and leading regulated banking platforms in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Commenting on the appointment, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said, “Loknath brings an exceptional combination of global banking experience, regulatory credibility and deep expertise in wholesale and transaction banking. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing UBA UK’s role as a flagship subsidiary for the Group and in strengthening our capacity to support trade and investment flows between Africa and international markets.”
Alawuba explained that the appointment underscores UBA’s continued investment in building a world-class international banking franchise that supports Africa’s economic integration into the global economy.
On his part, Mishra, who expressed delight over his appointment, said, “I am honoured to join UBA at a time of significant opportunity for the group. UBA’s unique role in connecting Africa to global markets is both compelling and strategically important. I look forward to working with colleagues across the Group to strengthen UBA UK’s platform and to support clients in unlocking growth across Africa and beyond.”
Before joining UBA UK, Mishra served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank UK, where he played a central role in strengthening the bank’s presence across the UK and European markets while significantly enhancing governance, regulatory engagement, and operational resilience.
He also held other senior leadership roles at ICICI Bank Limited, including Group Head of Wholesale Banking and Global Head of Transaction Banking, contributing to the expansion of the bank’s global wholesale franchise, strengthening risk management frameworks, and leading customer-centric transformation initiatives across corporate, institutional and financial institution segments.
Mishra is widely recognised for his leadership in complex regulatory environments and for driving digital innovation across trade finance, cash management and retail banking, and in recognition of his contribution to financial services, he was conferred with the Freedom of the City of London.Beyond offering coverage, this initiative is built on a holistic approach to risk resilience. Doroki and Leadway will equip merchants with clear guidance on what each product covers, how to file a claim, and best practices for risk management, empowering them with knowledge that strengthens decision-making and builds confidence in handling uncertainties.
“At Doroki, we see our merchants as partners in driving economic activity across Nigeria’s retail landscape. This partnership with Leadway, an insurer with decades of experience and a strong reputation for reliability, means our merchants can focus on growing their businesses with the peace of mind that they’re protected,” said the General Manager of Doroki merchants, Arike Okwunowo.
Commenting on the development, Head of Digital Business, Leadway, Diana Mulili, reiterated Leadway’s commitment to expanding access to financial security for every Nigerian.
“At Leadway, we believe insurance should integrate seamlessly into the everyday realities of people and businesses. By partnering with Doroki, we are embedding practical, easy-to-understand insurance solutions into a platform merchants already trust, helping them protect their income, assets, and livelihoods while continuing to grow with confidence.”
This collaboration not only provides financial protection for Doroki merchants but also fosters a culture of preparedness, awareness, and informed decision-making, key pillars for sustainable business growth in an unpredictable environment.
The Doroki merchant platform, delivers digital payment and value-added services to thousands of merchants across Nigeria, enabling secure payments, cash handling, and financial access solutions that support everyday business activities.
