Events

UBA Business Series Convenes M.I Abaga, Chowdeck CEO for Startup Growth Talks

Published

3 months ago

July 15, 2026

United Bank for Africa brings entrepreneurs, investors and technology leaders together to discuss building products shaped by African consumer needs

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced the latest edition of its UBA Business Series, with the quarterly knowledge-sharing platform set to explore how African businesses can transform everyday customer feedback into technology-driven solutions tailored to the continent’s unique realities.

Also read: UBA Celebrates Milestone with ₦400 Million Customer Appreciation Bonus

The UBA Business Series, scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (WAT), will bring together entrepreneurs, investors and innovators to discuss practical approaches to designing products and services that respond directly to the needs of African consumers rather than replicating models developed for other markets.

Held under the theme, “Building for Africa’s Realities: Turning Consumer Feedback into Technology-Driven Solutions,” the event will be streamed live across UBA’s official digital platforms, including the bank’s YouTube channel, enabling participants from across Africa and beyond to join the conversation virtually.

The programme will feature a distinguished panel of business and technology leaders with extensive experience building products for African markets.

Among the speakers are acclaimed rapper and entrepreneur M.I Abaga, venture capitalist and co-founder of Octerra Capital, Ashim Egunjobi, and Chowdeck co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Femi Aluko. The discussion will be moderated by media entrepreneur and founder Adaora Mbelu.

The panellists are expected to share firsthand experiences on developing consumer-focused platforms, investing in promising founders and maintaining close engagement with customers to ensure products continue to evolve in response to changing market demands.

Speaking ahead of the event, UBA Group Head of Brands, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the session reflects the bank’s continued commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses driving Africa’s economic transformation.

“The best African businesses are not guessing what their customers want, they are listening, adapting and building accordingly,” Ladipo said.

“Through this edition of the UBA Business Series, we want to put that discipline within reach of every entrepreneur, and create a platform where honest conversations about product, technology and growth can take place. When our businesses build for Africa’s realities, the whole continent benefits.”

Over the years, the UBA Business Series has evolved into a respected platform for knowledge exchange, providing entrepreneurs, professionals and business leaders with practical insights, strategies and tools to build sustainable enterprises in an increasingly dynamic business environment.

Previous editions have examined topics including digital transformation, access to finance, women in business, entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation, reinforcing UBA’s broader commitment to supporting enterprise development across Africa.

As digital adoption accelerates across the continent, experts increasingly view customer-centred innovation as a decisive factor in creating products capable of addressing Africa’s diverse economic and social challenges.

The latest edition seeks to deepen that conversation by highlighting how continuous consumer engagement can inspire powerful technology solutions that are both locally relevant and globally competitive.

With more than 25,000 employees serving over 45 million customers, UBA remains one of Africa’s largest financial institutions.

Also read: UBA Celebrates Milestone with ₦400 Million Customer Appreciation Bonus

The bank operates in 20 African countries, alongside operations in the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services while advancing financial inclusion through technology-led innovation.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.