United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has launched a new healthcare investment initiative designed to attract diaspora funding into Nigeria’s healthcare sector during the 2026 ANPA Carolinas Symposium held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The annual symposium, organised by the South Carolina and North Carolina chapters of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, attracted more than 170 physicians and healthcare experts who deliberated on medical and scientific issues affecting communities across North America, the Caribbean and Africa, especially people of Nigerian origin.
Addressing participants at the event, UBA’s Head of Diaspora Banking, Anant Rao, called for increased diaspora involvement in Nigeria’s healthcare development through strategic and long-term investments rather than reliance on remittances alone.
Rao explained that the bank had identified a gap in financial structures tailored specifically for diaspora healthcare investors seeking to contribute meaningfully to healthcare growth in Nigeria.
He subsequently unveiled the ANPA–UBA Diaspora Healthcare Investment Platform, a professionally managed investment scheme aimed at directing diaspora funds into specialist hospitals, diagnostic centres, telemedicine projects and medical training institutions across the country.
According to him, the initiative is structured to provide investors with financial returns while also supporting the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Under the proposed framework, UBA will act as custodian and structuring bank, while United Capital Asset Management will oversee management of the fund.
To further strengthen engagement with the Nigerian-American medical community, Rao proposed a Memorandum of Understanding between UBA and the two ANPA chapters.
The partnership is expected to focus on six strategic areas, including specialised banking services for ANPA members, periodic financial education programmes, a joint Healthcare Infrastructure Fund, an ANPA Wealth and Legacy Desk, access to family healthcare plans through Avon HMO, and a co-matching contribution structure to support projects under the Pearl Endowment Fund.
UBA noted that the initiative builds on its existing diaspora banking services, including Non-Resident Nigerian accounts in multiple currencies, dollar-denominated investment products, elder-care trust solutions under the Homeland Anchor Care Trust programme, and private wealth management offerings tailored to diaspora professionals.
The bank stated that the initiative underscores its commitment to using diaspora capital as a catalyst for healthcare and infrastructure development across Africa.
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