UBA’s AI Chatbot LEO has become first in Africa to enable cross-border payments.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced a groundbreaking innovation in digital banking, with its Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbot, LEO, now fully enabled to facilitate cross-border payment transactions across Africa.
This development positions LEO as Africa’s first AI chatbot to support instant, secure, and seamless cross-border fund transfers, marking a significant step forward in the continent’s financial technology evolution.
The new functionality is powered by the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank). PAPSS enables individuals, businesses, and corporates to send and receive payments in local currencies across African countries where Central Banks have approved its operations.
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Speaking on the milestone, Oliver Alawuba, UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, said the innovation reflects the bank’s commitment to pioneering solutions that meet Africa’s evolving financial needs.
“As Africa’s global bank, we are driven by the mission to push boundaries and create solutions that speak to the future of banking in Africa. The introduction of cross-border payments on LEO, in partnership with PAPSS, is a significant leap toward digital innovation, Pan-African integration, and customer-focused services,” Alawuba stated.
With the UBA PAPSS Instant Payment via LEO, customers benefit from:
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Real-time cross-border payments completed within seconds
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Lower transaction processing fees
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Zero charges on beneficiaries
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Enhanced security and confidentiality
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Access through self-service digital channels
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Wider remittance product options
Shamsideen Fasola, UBA’s Group Head of Retail and Digital Banking, described the service as transformative for the financial services sector across the continent.
“By integrating LEO with PAPSS infrastructure, we are simplifying transactions while fostering intra-African trade. This is a major step in supporting financial inclusion and formalizing informal trade flows—core objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.
This innovation empowers UBA account holders, SMEs, traders, and corporate entities to transact more efficiently and transparently across African markets, reinforcing UBA’s leadership in digital transformation and inclusive banking.
UBA is the first financial institution in Africa to enable cross-border transactions through an AI chatbot, underscoring its role as a digital banking trailblazer.
With operations in 20 African countries, as well as global presence in the United Kingdom, United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, UBA serves over 45 million customers worldwide. The bank employs more than 25,000 staff and continues to lead in delivering retail, commercial, and institutional banking services powered by cutting-edge technology.
