Banking Executive Highlights Financial Growth, Customer Expansion and Young Sierra Leonean Leadership as He Begins a New Chapter
By Marcus Albangus
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE — Mohamed Alhajie Samoura has announced his departure as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone, effective 30 September 2026, bringing almost six years of leadership at one of Sierra Leone’s major banking institutions to a close.
In a statement issued on 30 September 2026 announcing his departure, Samoura said he was stepping down to pursue other endeavours. In reflecting on his tenure, he highlighted what he described as significant financial, institutional and human-capital developments during his time at the bank.
Samoura’s departure marks a notable transition for UBA Sierra Leone and another chapter in a banking career spanning nearly two decades in Sierra Leone.
A Milestone in Local Banking Leadership
According to his departure statement, Samoura became the first Sierra Leonean to lead UBA’s operations in Sierra Leone since the bank commenced business in the country in 2008. He also described himself as the first Sierra Leonean to head the local subsidiary of a Nigerian bank.
Reflecting on his tenure, Samoura described leading UBA Sierra Leone as “the honour of my career” and said the bank had been more than a workplace, serving as a platform for growth, innovation, service and meaningful impact.
Financial Performance and Customer Expansion
In the statement, Samoura highlighted a number of financial and institutional milestones that he said were recorded during his tenure.
Among the figures cited was a reported Profit Before Tax of NLe 988.9 million for FY2025, representing an 18.6 per cent year-on-year increase, alongside more than 70,000 new customer accounts.
He further stated that Profit Before Tax increased by 71 per cent in FY2024, while total assets reached NLe 5.2 billion. According to the statement, UBA Sierra Leone’s customer base also grew to more than one million customers.
These figures, as presented by the departing CEO, form part of his assessment of the bank’s performance during his tenure and highlight the expansion of UBA’s customer reach within Sierra Leone’s financial-services sector.
Recognition and Expansion
Samoura also highlighted recognition received by the bank during his tenure. According to his statement, UBA Sierra Leone was recognised as Bank of the Year 2023 by The Banker, a Financial Times publication.
He also pointed to the completion of a new state-of-the-art branch in Kono, which is scheduled to open before the end of 2026.
The departing CEO also cited his personal recognition as Best Corporate Leader of the Year at the 10th African Ovation Awards in April 2026 among the milestones associated with his tenure.
Developing Young Sierra Leonean Leaders
One of the strongest themes running through Samoura’s statement is the development of young Sierra Leonean professionals.
He said that, under his leadership, more young Sierra Leoneans advanced to executive positions at UBA Sierra Leone than at any other time in the bank’s history. He said this contributed to what he believes is one of the youngest executive leadership teams in Sierra Leone’s banking industry.
The emphasis is significant within the wider conversation about local professional development and the advancement of Sierra Leoneans into senior positions within major institutions operating in the country. For Samoura, the development of young professionals represents one of the meaningful aspects of his leadership legacy.
Recognition of the UBA Team
Samoura did not attribute the reported progress solely to his own leadership. In his statement, he credited the UBA Sierra Leone Board, Executive Committee and staff for their professionalism, dedication and shared vision.
He also expressed appreciation to UBA Group leadership, the UBA Sierra Leone Board, the Bank of Sierra Leone, customers, shareholders, partners and other stakeholders for their confidence and support.
He explained that his substantive appointment followed approval of his nomination by the UBA Group Office and the UBA Sierra Leone Board of Directors in December 2023, followed by the Bank of Sierra Leone’s “No Objection” approval on 30 January 2024. Before that appointment, he served as Acting Managing Director and CEO and as Executive Director, Business Development.
An Orderly Handover
As he leaves UBA Sierra Leone, Samoura said he has worked closely with the Executive Director to support an orderly handover pending the Board’s appointment of a substantive successor.
He expressed confidence that the bank remains in capable hands and will continue to pursue financial inclusion, enterprise development, customer service and the growth of Sierra Leone’s financial-services sector.
A Personal Farewell
Beyond the corporate milestones, Samoura’s statement contains a personal note of appreciation. He paid tribute to his wife and family for their patience, encouragement and unwavering support throughout the demanding schedules of his tenure.
He also thanked customers, colleagues, friends and well-wishers for the calls, messages and kind words received as he begins his next chapter.
Samoura said he remains a proud ambassador of the UBA brand and will carry forward the lessons, relationships, friendships and experiences accumulated during his years with the institution.
C4D Perspective
For C4D Media, Samoura’s departure provides an opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of local leadership within Sierra Leone’s financial-services sector. His emphasis on financial performance, customer expansion and the advancement of young Sierra Leonean professionals speaks to broader questions of institutional development, professional succession and the contribution of the banking industry to Sierra Leone’s economic growth.
The transition also comes at a time when financial institutions are operating in an environment shaped by technological change, increasing customer expectations and the continuing importance of financial inclusion.
As UBA Sierra Leone prepares for its next phase of leadership, the institution’s ability to maintain continuity while building on its reported achievements will remain important to its customers, employees and wider stakeholders.
For Samoura, the next chapter now begins outside UBA Sierra Leone. For the bank, the leadership transition marks the beginning of another phase in its institutional journey.
See the full statement below for the complete press release
ATTACHED PRESS RELEASE
Statement by Mohamed Alhajie Samoura on His Departure as Managing Director and CEO of UBA Sierra Leone
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 September 2026
Today, I announce my departure as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone, effective 30 September 2026, after almost six years of service. I am stepping down to pursue other endeavours.
My career to date in the banking sector spans nearly two decades in Sierra Leone. I had the privilege of becoming the first Sierra Leonean to lead UBA’s operations in the country since the Bank commenced business here in 2008, and the first Sierra Leonean to head the local subsidiary of a Nigerian-originated bank.
Leading UBA Sierra Leone has been the honour of my career. The Bank has been more than a workplace; it has been a platform for growth, innovation, service and meaningful impact. I leave proud of what we achieved together and deeply grateful for the trust placed in me.
During my tenure, UBA Sierra Leone strengthened its financial performance, expanded its customer reach and recorded significant institutional milestones, including:
- record Profit Before Tax of NLE 988.9 million in FY2025, an 18.6% year-on-year increase, alongside more than 70,000 new customer accounts;
- a 71% increase in Profit Before Tax in FY2024, with total assets reaching NLE 5.2 billion;
- growth of the customer base to more than one million customers;
- recognition as Bank of the Year 2023 by The Banker, a Financial Times publication;
- strong staff retention and completion of a new state-of-the-art branch in Kono, scheduled to open before the end of 2026; and
- my recognition as Best Corporate Leader of the Year at the 10th African Ovation Awards in April 2026.
One of the most meaningful aspects of my tenure was helping to inspire young Sierra Leoneans to pursue leadership and excellence in banking. Under my leadership, more young Sierra Leoneans advanced to executive positions at UBA Sierra Leone than at any previous point in the Bank’s history, contributing to what I believe is one of the youngest executive leadership teams in Sierra Leone’s banking industry.
I attribute the Bank’s progress to the commitment of the UBA Sierra Leone Board, Executive Committee and staff, whose professionalism, dedication and shared vision strengthened the institution and enhanced service to customers.
I am grateful to the UBA Group leadership, the UBA Sierra Leone Board, the Bank of Sierra Leone, our customers, shareholders, partners and other stakeholders for their confidence and support. My substantive appointment followed approval of my nomination by the UBA Group Office and the UBA Sierra Leone Board of Directors in December 2023, and the Bank of Sierra Leone’s “No Objection” approval on 30 January 2024. Before that appointment, I served as Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer and as Executive Director, Business Development.
As UBA Sierra Leone’s sixth Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, I have worked closely with the Executive Director to support an orderly handover pending the Board’s appointment of a substantive successor. I am confident that the Bank remains in capable hands and will continue to advance financial inclusion, enterprise development, customer service and the growth of Sierra Leone’s financial-services sector.
I pay special tribute to my wife and family for their patience, encouragement and unwavering support throughout the demanding schedules of my tenure. I also thank our customers, my colleagues, friends and well-wishers for the calls, messages and kind words I have received as I begin this next chapter.
I remain a proud ambassador of the UBA brand and will carry forward the lessons, relationships, friendships and impact of these remarkable years with deep appreciation and humility. Thank you, Sierra Leone. Thank you to our customers and to every member of the UBA family. I wish UBA Sierra Leone continued growth, progress and success. The best is yet to come.
Mohamed Alhajie Samoura
Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
United Bank for Africa Sierra Leone
