UBA pledges $150m to Kenya Roads Programme, supporting road upgrades, contractor payments, SME growth, and trade in partnership with the Kenyan government

UBA pledges $150m to Kenya Roads Programme as part of a landmark commitment to support national infrastructure and economic growth in East Africa’s largest economy.

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The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced a $150 million (KES 20.5 billion) investment in Kenya’s Roads Levy Securitisation Programme — a $1.35 billion initiative led by the Kenya Roads Board aimed at transforming critical road infrastructure, accelerating contractor payments, and boosting national connectivity.

This pledge marks one of the largest private sector contributions to the programme so far, underlining UBA’s growing influence in East Africa’s development landscape.

UBA Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, led a high-level delegation on a working visit to President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, to reaffirm the bank’s long-term commitment to Kenya’s infrastructure ambitions and broader economic transformation agenda.

“Kenya holds a strategic place in Africa’s growth story, and UBA is committed to being a long-term partner in unlocking the immense potential here,” said Alawuba.

He added that the bank’s mission goes beyond finance: “From supporting SMEs that create jobs to connecting markets through infrastructure, we are here to deliver sustainable solutions that improve lives.”

During the visit, the UBA delegation also met with key financial sector leaders, including the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Dr Kamau Thugge.

Their discussions focused on financial resilience, cross-border payments innovation, and regional trade facilitation.

UBA’s involvement positions the bank as a key enabler of Kenya’s infrastructure financing, a sector traditionally dominated by multilateral lenders and bilateral development agencies.

“Infrastructure is the engine of trade, competitiveness, and shared prosperity. UBA is proud to be one of the largest financiers of this programme, demonstrating our unshakeable confidence in Kenya’s future,” Alawuba remarked.

UBA Kenya Managing Director/CEO, Mary Mulilu, noted that the investment would deliver tangible value across Kenya’s economy, especially for underserved sectors.

“Our participation cements UBA’s role as a trusted ally to the Kenyan government, businesses, and communities. We are paving the way for better connectivity that empowers farmers, manufacturers, and SMEs across the country,” she said.

The pledge strengthens UBA’s already strong presence in Kenya and reflects the bank’s pan-African growth strategy, which focuses on driving development through infrastructure, SME financing, and financial inclusion.

In recent years, the Kenyan government has prioritised strategic road construction and rehabilitation as a core driver of its Vision 2030 plan.

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With UBA pledging $150m to Kenya Roads Programme, the financing is expected to fast-track the pace of construction, resolve contractor payment backlogs, and improve trade logistics between counties and neighbouring countries.