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United Capital Group Named Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies for Fourth Consecutive Year

Peter Ashade, Group CEO, United Capital

United Capital Plc, a leading pan-African investment and financial services group, has once again been named one of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies, marking its fourth consecutive appearance on the prestigious Financial Times and Statista ranking.

The 2025 edition of the report, which benchmarks top-performing companies across the continent, tracked growth metrics between 2020 and 2023. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, including currency fluctuations and shifting market conditions, United Capital achieved an Absolute Growth Rate (AGR) of 256.5% and a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 52.8%. The Group also reported $72.25 million in revenue, emerging as the top-ranked capital market operator among four Nigerian companies featured, and standing out among financial services companies in the content, which accounted for nearly one-fifth of the total list.

“We are honoured to be recognized once again on this prestigious list,” said Peter Ashade, Group CEO of United Capital Group. “To be named for the fourth year in a row speaks volumes to the strength of our business model, the resilience of our people, and the trust our clients place in us.  Our strategic focus remains clear – driving innovation, championing financial inclusion, and expanding our footprint across Africa. We believe in Africa’s growth story, and we are proud to continue leading the future of finance across the continent.”

The FT-Statista report highlights that rapid growth does not always equate to long-term success, with several past honourees facing operational challenges. United Capital continues to distinguish itself with strong, consistent performance. In its FY 2024 financials, the Group reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of ₦30.10 billion and Gross Earnings of ₦43.43 billion. Its Q1 2025 results reinforced this trajectory, with ₦6.73 billion in PBT and ₦13.10 billion in Gross Earnings.

With its diversified business lines, United Capital continues to strategically deepen its presence across key African markets, positioning itself as a pan-African financial powerhouse.

JOSEPH ONYEMA

Head, Group Enterprise Performance Management
Joseph Onyema
Joseph is the Head, Group Enterprise Performance Management at United Capital Plc.
Over the last 16 years, Joseph has worked with and led teams whose responsibilities cut across a major spectrum of technology transformational and retail growth projects and consultancy. Joining the group in 2017, Joseph started out leading the technology team for 5+ years in the position of the Group, Chief Information Officer, a role in which his focus on execution to reposition the business was exemplary, hence leading to increased digital presence, retail growth and improved revenues, with keen focus on our growth during the COVID-19 pandemic where the business was run totally virtual and saw outstanding growth in customers, revenue and profitability.​
Leveraging on his education, performance, experience and spirit of execution, Joseph transitioned to the Group Head, Enterprise Performance Management, where he brings his analytical and technological prowess coupled with his background in managing teams and businesses to bare in monitoring and tracking business units and employees performances, while helping them to improve in their performance and ensuring the group continues to win in all its endeavours.
Before joining United Capital, Joseph headed the Group Technology Operations at Cordros Capital Limited where he transitioned the business from a High Net-worth Individual (HNI) focused business to retail-focused business with total leverage on technology to drive B2C sales across verticals while exploring new markets and partnerships. Prior to Cordros Capital, he had led the Enterprise & Cloud Services team at Soft Solutions Limited, an IT Consultancy firm with a footprint across 15 Nigerian banks on enterprise security, cloud projects, and consultancy where he developed, deployed, and led support teams to manage several financial and FMCG application suites.
A Tony Elumelu entrepreneur from 2016 before joining the group, and a member of the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma international business honor society, continues to reinvent himself and deliver exceptionally to the United Capital family.