United Bank for Africa Plc has announced a $100 million financing partnership scheme with CIG Motors, Lagride, and the Lagos State Government.

This initiative is aimed at redefining urban mobility and promoting financial inclusion within Nigeria.

Under the partnership, which is tagged “Drive to Own,” UBA will serve as the key financier. The bank is offering loan subscriptions that allow beneficiaries to own a CIG/Lagride vehicle by contributing an equity payment of just 10% of the total vehicle cost, with the remaining balance payable over a period of 48 months.

The scheme was officially unveiled during a ceremony in Alausa, Lagos. It is designed to empower 3,500 drivers in the state by providing transformative asset ownership opportunities, setting a new benchmark for structured credit in Africa’s mobility sector.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, delivered the keynote remarks at the event. He highlighted the bank’s visionary commitment to inclusive economic growth, fostering MSME development, and creating tangible opportunities for the younger generation.

He said, “This partnership with Lagride is transformational. It will drive inclusivity for economic growth and ensure progress for everyone. We are committed to helping you, and please believe me, this is just the beginning.”

Alawuba also emphasised UBA’s focus on solving immediate, on-the-ground challenges. He added, “I am personally looking at the immediate problems we have right here in Lagos as we will be connecting the initiative to broader urban development. Lagos will change because of us. And we will not stop in Lagos; we will move beyond.”

Echoing the GMD’s vision, UBA’s Head of SME Banking, Babatunde Ajayi, noted that this partnership is built on a fundamental rethinking of traditional banking models.

“Not every business has a shop. Some businesses have wheels. Every commercial driver is running a business, yet they have remained outside formal finance. We did not ask if they fit our old structures; we designed credit that fits their reality, and that is the way we work at UBA,” Ajayi added.

The Chairman of Lagride, Diana Chen, noted that the company has built a data-driven and credit-ready mobility platform for drivers. She stressed that transportation serves as the backbone of Africa’s economic future.

“Lagride now stands as the most structured, data-driven and credit-ready mobility platform in Nigeria,” Chen said. “This data enables UBA to evaluate driver performance with accuracy and confidence, creating a new standard for bankable driver financing,” he said.