FREETOWN, Sept. 30 — Mohamed Alhajie Samoura has issued a statement following his resignation 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.
In the statement, Samoura said he was stepping down to pursue other endeavours and had worked closely with the Executive Director to ensure an orderly handover pending the Board’s appointment of a substantive successor.
“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,” he said.
Samoura, whose banking career in Sierra Leone spans nearly two decades, was the first Sierra Leonean to lead UBA’s operations in the country since the bank began business there in 2008, and the first Sierra Leonean to head the local subsidiary of a Nigerian-originated bank.
He said his tenure delivered record financial performance, including a Profit Before Tax of NLE 988.9 million in the 2025 financial year — an 18.6 percent year-on-year increase — alongside more than 70,000 new customer accounts. In the 2024 financial year, Profit Before Tax rose 71 percent, with total assets reaching NLE 5.2 billion, he said.
The bank’s customer base grew to more than one million during his leadership, and UBA Sierra Leone was named Bank of the Year 2023 by The Banker, a Financial Times publication. A new state-of-the-art branch in Kono is scheduled to open before the end of 2026, according to the statement.
Samoura was recognised as Best Corporate Leader of the Year at the 10th African Ovation Awards in April 2026.
He said one of the most meaningful aspects of his tenure was helping inspire young Sierra Leoneans to pursue leadership and excellence in banking, noting that more young Sierra Leoneans advanced to executive positions at UBA Sierra Leone under his leadership than at any previous point in the bank’s history.
“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,” he said.
His substantive appointment followed approval of his 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. He previously served as Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer and as Executive Director, Business Development.
Samoura, the bank’s sixth Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, thanked UBA Group leadership, the Board, the Bank of Sierra Leone, customers, shareholders and partners for their confidence and support, and paid tribute to his wife and family.
“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,” he said. “I wish UBA Sierra Leone continued growth, progress and success. The best is yet to come.”
