Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa, UBA Cameroon, continues to reaffirm its commitment to developing sports infrastructure in Cameroon through its strategic partnership with the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT).
Since 2022, UBA Cameroon has served as a key financial partner to FECAFOOT, providing financing that has supported major football development initiatives, notably the construction and equipping of the Federation’s ultra-modern headquarters, inaugurated on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Yaounde.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, and attended by high-profile dignitaries from the world football governing body, FIFA, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as well as key stakeholders from the football ecosystem.
The new FECAFOOT headquarters marks a major milestone in the modernization of football administration in Cameroon.
In a message to FECAFOOT’s management, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the UBA Group, commended FA, the Government of Cameroon, and all stakeholders for their commitment to developing sports infrastructure in the country.
He reaffirmed UBA’s support for nation-building initiatives through investments in major sporting infrastructure projects such as the Olembe Stadium, the Japoma Sports Complex, and the new FECAFOOT headquarters. According to him, such projects create opportunities for youth development and strengthen national pride across Africa.
In his address, Samuel Eto’o, President of FECAFOOT, expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the UBA Group for the bank’s unwavering support and called for greater collaboration on future projects to advance football development in Cameroon.
The President of CAF, Patrice Motsepe, lauded UBA’s support and encouraged greater collaboration between the private sector and football federations across Africa to accelerate the development of the sport on the continent.
In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders in driving the development of sports infrastructure and youth empowerment in Cameroon.
UBA Cameroon’s support for football infrastructure development in Cameroon dates back several years. As part of preparations for the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the bank played a strategic role in financing key sports infrastructure projects led by the Government of Cameroon, notably the construction of the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde and the ultra-modern Japoma Sports Complex in Douala.
For the Olembe Stadium project, UBA Cameroon enabled the Government to disburse 15% of the total construction cost through a loan facility, a critical intervention that facilitated the commencement of the project. Built on a 34-hectare site in Yaounde, the Olembe Stadium is today the largest stadium in Cameroon and hosted the final of AFCON 2021.
The bank also participated in the financing of the Japoma Multi-Sport Complex in Douala, a project valued at approximately US$284.48 million. UBA Cameroon provided bonds, guarantees, and a short-term loan in support of the project. The 50,000-seat stadium hosted matches during both the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Sarata Thiam, CEO Africa 2, covering Francophone Africa and personal representative of Tony Elumelu at the inauguration of the new headquarters, reiterated that the collaboration with FECAFOOT is part of a long-term partnership. She emphasized that UBA remains committed to supporting the development of football and sports infrastructure across the continent.
Through these landmark interventions and its ongoing partnership with FECAFOOT, UBA Cameroon continues to demonstrate its role as a trusted development partner committed to supporting transformative national projects, youth empowerment, and the advancement of sports in Cameroon.
