The United Bank for Africa Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening diaspora engagement and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare sector through a new investment initiative unveiled at the 2026 ANPA Carolinas Symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States.
The symposium, organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) through its North and South Carolina chapters, brought together over 170 Nigerian-American doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals for discussions on medical innovation, healthcare delivery, and cross-border collaboration.
Speaking at the event, the bank’s Head of Diaspora Banking, Anant Rao, urged Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to move beyond remittances and take a more structured approach to long-term investment in critical sectors, particularly healthcare.
He noted that Nigeria’s healthcare system requires stronger institutional financing models that can link diaspora capital with sustainable development outcomes at home.
To address this gap, UBA introduced the ANPA–UBA Diaspora Healthcare Investment Platform, a structured investment framework designed to channel diaspora funds into key healthcare infrastructure projects across Nigeria, including specialist hospitals, diagnostic centres, telemedicine systems, and medical training institutions.
According to the bank, the platform is designed to deliver a “dual return” model, offering both financial returns to investors and measurable impact in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
The bank also revealed that United Capital Asset Management will serve as fund manager, while UBA will act as custodian and structuring bank to ensure transparency, governance, and regulatory compliance.
Rao further proposed a Memorandum of Understanding between UBA and ANPA chapters to strengthen collaboration across key areas, including diaspora banking services, financial literacy programmes, healthcare infrastructure funding, and legacy investment planning for Nigerian professionals abroad.
The proposed partnership also includes the establishment of a dedicated wealth and legacy desk for ANPA members, group healthcare packages through Avon HMO, and co-matching investment support for eligible impact-driven funds.
Stakeholders at the symposium welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely effort to bridge global expertise with Nigeria’s growing healthcare needs, while also creating structured pathways for diaspora professionals to contribute to national development.
UBA said the initiative reflects its broader strategy of positioning diaspora capital as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and sustainable healthcare transformation in Nigeria.
