Through its Graduate Management Accelerated Program, launched in 2023, United Bank for Africa (UBA) is helping young Africans step into the world of banking each year. The initiative aims to reduce unemployment rates across Africa.
Just six months, that is all it takes for any young African, aged 28 or younger and holding a bachelor’s degree, to begin a career in banking. With the Graduate Management Accelerated Program (GMAP), UBA, under the leadership of its founder Tony O. Elumelu of Nigeria, is breaking down barriers to employment and democratizing access to opportunities in the financial sector.
“I started my career as an intern many years ago with little more than ambition, a thirst for knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” Elumelu shares. His words reflect the spirit behind GMAP, a program open to all and rooted in excellence and opportunity.
UBA’s goal with GMAP is not only to build a strong pipeline of future leaders for the bank, but also to instill a culture of excellence among Africa’s youth. By promoting cultural and skills diversity, the initiative contributes to UBA’s pan-African identity while addressing youth unemployment, a serious issue plaguing the continent.
Since its launch in Cameroon in 2023, GMAP has completed four editions. So far, over 30 young Cameroonians have been trained and placed in positions within UBA, both at the head office and across branches. “The GMAP journey begins with a call for applications. Candidates undergo multiple tests, and only the best are selected for training under the UBA Academy.
The six-month program blends theory and practice. “Each month, we had one week of online classes followed by three weeks of hands-on training in a branch. We rotated through departments like credit, treasury, operations, audit, human resources, and more,” says Loraine Mewoli, a graduate of the second cohort, now working in the Marketing Department.
“It’s a great program. It opens doors, broadens minds, and helps you see your future from new perspectives,” she adds. “With my telecommunications engineering degree, I expected to be placed in the IT department, but I ended up in Marketing and I love it.”
Ultimately, the Graduate Management Accelerated Program is more than just a career starter; it is a launch pad into leadership. “GMAP is more than an integration program. It’s a leadership school designed to build the next generation of African leaders,” emphasises Jude Anele, Managing Director of UBA Cameroon.
Through GMAP, UBA is not just recruiting talent, its transforming lives and shaping the future of Africa’s financial leadership.
