Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba, has outlined the transformative potential of the $30 billion Chad Connection 2030 Plan, describing it as a blueprint for driving competitiveness, industrialization, and inclusive growth across Africa.

Delivering his keynote address at the UAE–Chad Trade and Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Alawuba said the project represents Africa’s shift from promise to execution.

Africa’s Era of Execution

Speaking on the theme “Financing African Competitiveness – Building Bridges, Powering Progress,” Alawuba stated:

“For too long, the narrative around Africa has been one of potential. But the era of potential is over. We are now in the era of execution — and what we are witnessing in Chad is a masterclass in how to make that shift.”

He explained that the Chad Connection 2030 Plan is more than a strategic document; it is “a declaration of intent” — a detailed roadmap to reposition Chad from the periphery of development to the heart of global economic competitiveness.

The plan includes 268 projects focused on infrastructure, industrialization, and human capital development — pillars that Alawuba described as “the foundation of national competitiveness.”

Driving Growth Through Infrastructure and Access

Alawuba highlighted the plan’s emphasis on reliable power, clean water, and modern infrastructure as key enablers of economic transformation.

“A reliable power grid is the foundation of industrial growth. Chad’s goal of achieving 60 per cent electrification by 2030 will power factories, sustain agricultural cold chains, and enable the digital economy to thrive,” he said.

He also underscored the importance of water access for over 11 million additional people, describing it as a catalyst for health, productivity, and agro-industrial expansion.

“When we finance a road, we finance market access. When we structure a PPP for renewable energy, we finance both climate resilience and energy independence. When we support digital payment systems, we create the foundation for inclusive economic growth,” he added.

Bridging Africa’s Capital Gap

The UBA boss emphasized that Africa’s transformation is not hindered by a lack of capital, but by weak project structuring and limited credible partnerships.

Citing data from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), he noted that Africa holds about $4 trillion in domestic financial assets, including commercial bank deposits, foreign reserves, pension, and insurance assets. However, less than 15 per cent of these are deployed into productive, growth-enabling infrastructure.

“The challenge has never been a lack of capital, but a lack of bankable structures and credible partnerships. This is the gap UBA seeks to bridge,” Alawuba said.

UBA’s Commitment to Chad’s Development

Reaffirming UBA’s longstanding partnership with Chad, Alawuba revealed that the bank has already committed over $102 million in direct investments in Chad’s sovereign securities and infrastructure projects.

These include a $49 million domestic gas initiative to expand access to clean energy, a $6.7 million wind power project in Amdjarass, and funding support for road maintenance and telecom modernization.

“At UBA, our commitment is two-fold — we are architects of national infrastructure and champions of grassroots financial inclusion. In Chad, this is not a promise; it is a proven track record,” he stated.

Powering Africa’s Competitiveness

Alawuba concluded by stressing that the Chad Connection 2030 Plan serves as a model for Africa’s collective advancement — linking infrastructure, energy, and human capital development to global competitiveness.

“With bold initiatives like this, Africa is not just preparing for the future — we are defining it,” he said.