United Capital Asset Management West Africa Limited, the newest subsidiary of investment firm United Capital, has commenced operations with the launch of two mutual funds targeted at the Francophone West African market.
In a statement on Thursday, the firm said that the two CFA franc-denominated mutual funds, the UCAMWAL Bond Fund and the UCAMWAL Diversified Fund, marked a significant step in the Group’s strategic pan-African expansion. Signal United Capital recently launched United Capital Asset Management West Africa Ltd, its first fully operational subsidiary in Francophone West Africa, headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The outfit is licensed to operate as a portfolio management company within the WAEMU region.
Commenting on the significance of the launch of the products, the Group Chief
Executive Officer Peter Ashade said, “This product launch signals the kick-off of the expansion of our pan-African footprint, starting with the WAEMU region. As a group, our mission is to shape a more financially inclusive and economically resilient Africa, for Africa by Africans. We are here to make a difference, and we are bringing our proven investment expertise into this market to support cross-border investment and Africa-driven prosperity.
“This is the beginning of a legacy for wealth creation, financial empowerment, and a new chapter in Africa’s story of innovation and enduring success.”
The Director of Africa Operations at United Capital Plc, Ejikeme Okoli, shared the company’s long-term vision for the WAEMU region, saying, “Our expansion into WAEMU is about more than presence; it’s about impact. We’re building a truly Pan-African financial institution that partners with local economies to unlock long-term prosperity. Our strategy is not exploitative but collaborative and will harness local insights to create shared value. We aim to deliver tailored financial solutions, manage risk effectively, and drive inclusive growth across the region. I invite investors to join us on this journey of growth and empowerment as we stay true to our promise of driving progress, delivering value, and powering economic improvement across Africa.”
Also speaking at the launch, Managing Director of UCAMWAL, Labas Bamba, said, “Today marks a pivotal step in our mission to reshape asset and wealth management in Francophone West Africa. These funds are tailored to meet the distinct needs of our investors, blending global standards with local market insight. We recognise that every investor’s journey is unique, which is why our solutions are built to support diverse goals across different life and business stages.”
The fund is open to investors from the eight member countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo within the WAEMU Region.
The UCAMWAL Bond Fund is a low-risk, open-ended fund that focuses on fixed-income and money market instruments, while the UCAMWAL Diversified Fund provides investors with a balanced risk approach through strategic allocation across multiple asset classes.
The parent company, United Capital Plc, manages nearly N2tn in assets and more than $500m in mutual funds in