Message from H.E. Mr. Munsoo Kurrimbaccus
High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
It gives me great pleasure to extend my warm greetings to the organizers, distinguished speakers, delegates and participants of the 12th African Islamic Finance Summit, jointly organized by AlHuda CIBE and Al Barakah Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd (Al Barakah MCSL), to be held in Mauritius on 1-2 December 2026.
This Summit comes at a particularly important time, as Islamic finance continues to gain global recognition as a resilient, ethical and inclusive financial system that promotes shared prosperity, responsible investment and sustainable economic development. Across Africa, the sector presents significant opportunities to enhance financial inclusion, support entrepreneurship, strengthen SME financing and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
For Mauritius, the Summit represents a milestone. As an International Financial Centre and a gateway to Africa, Mauritius is well positioned to further develop an Islamic finance ecosystem and strengthen its role as a bridge between Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The hosting of this prestigious international conference will provide an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and strategic partnerships that can accelerate the growth of the sector in our country and across the African continent.
Having had the privilege of serving as President of Al Barakah MCSL, the only Islamic finance cooperative institution in Mauritius, I have witnessed both the immense potential and the challenges facing the development of Islamic finance at the grassroots level. I firmly believe that greater awareness, continuous capacity building and stronger collaboration among regulators, financial institutions, academia and industry leaders are essential to unlocking the full benefits of Islamic finance for our people.
I congratulate AlHuda CIBE and Al Barakah MCSL for their outstanding collaboration in bringing this important Summit to Mauritius. I wish the organizers every success and trust that the deliberations will contribute meaningfully to advancing Islamic finance in Mauritius, across Africa and beyond.
JazakAllah Khair
Statement by H.E. Mr. Mohammad Riad Parvez Hullemuth
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Mauritius to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
It is a pleasure to see the 12th African Islamic Finance Summit being organized by AlHuda CIBE, in association with Al Barakah MCSL, on 1–2 December 2026 in Mauritius.
Islamic finance plays a vital role in promoting sustainable economic development, financial inclusion justice, and ethical investment across Africa. This summit offers an excellent platform for policymakers, financial institutions, regulators, investors, and industry experts to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration.
I commend AlHuda CIBE for its longstanding contribution to the global advancement of Islamic banking and finance, and appreciate Al Barakah's role in supporting the growth of Shariah-compliant financial services.
I wish the 12th African Islamic Finance Summit every success and hope it further strengthens Mauritius' position as a leading finance hub in Africa while fostering greater regional cooperation and sustainable growth.
About AlHuda Center of Islamic Banking & Economics
AlHuda CIBE, towards the pursuance of its mission to promote Islamic Banking and Finance globally, has been working diligently since 2005. Over the years, AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics has earned recognition as a distinguished service provider, driven by its notable services, dedicated team of professionals, and comprehensive one-stop solutions in Islamic Banking and Finance.
Our core objective is to deliver state-of-the-art services that contribute to the sustainable growth and development of the Islamic financial industry. We take pride in our strong global presence and prominence in advisory and consultancy, research and development, education and capacity building, Shariah advisory, publications, and the successful organization of international conferences and events worldwide.
AlHuda CIBE is proudly supported by numerous national and international organizations and institutions as strategic partners, and our alumni network spans over 105 countries worldwide. We have successfully organized more than 40 international conferences, forums, and specialized events. Today, we are proud to stand among the world’s leading institutions in capacity building, professional training, consultancy, and advisory services. More details are available at www.alhudacibe.com
About Al Barakah MCSL
Al Barakah Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Ltd was established in June 1998 as one of the pioneers of Shariah-compliant cooperative finance in Mauritius. Created to provide ethical, interest-free financial solutions based on the principles of mutual assistance, fairness, and shared prosperity, the Society has grown into a trusted member-owned financial cooperative serving over 4,000 members with total assets exceeding USD 5 Million. Through its Head Office in Rose Belle and regional offices in Mesnil, Port Louis and Flacq, Al Barakah remains committed to making ethical finance accessible to communities across the island.
Today, Al Barakah offers a wide range of Shariah-compliant savings, financing and Takaful solutions designed to promote financial inclusion and socio-economic empowerment. Guided by the values of integrity, transparency and responsible governance, the Society continues to invest in innovation, digital transformation and community development, while remaining steadfast in its mission of advancing ethical Islamic finance and improving the well-being of its members.
About Islamic Finance in Africa
Africa, the world’s second-largest and one of the most diverse continents, is home to approximately 636 million Muslims—around 53% of its population—representing a vast and growing market for Islamic finance with significant opportunities for Shariah-compliant banking and investment. While challenges such as low financial inclusion, limited public awareness, and historically modest government support have slowed growth, countries like Senegal, Morocco, Sudan, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa are emerging as key markets due to their large Muslim populations and active business communities. The expansion of Islamic banking across North Africa, West Africa, and parts of the eastern seaboard is expected to not only increase access to ethical and Shariah-compliant financial services but also strengthen trade and business links between Africa, the Middle East, and global markets, fostering collaboration with international and Islamic financial institutions.
African Islamic Finance Summary
11 Forums | 80+ Countries | 1800+ Participants
AlHuda CIBE has been organizing the African Islamic Finance Summit for the past eleven years across Mauritius, Tanzania, The Gambia, and Somaliland. AlHuda plays a pivotal role in supporting practitioners, Islamic finance institutions, and government entities by promoting awareness and understanding of the Islamic financial system. The summit serves as a platform for dialogue between organizations and networks, offering up-to-date insights into various aspects of Islamic finance. This initiative aims to foster Islamic financing for entrepreneurship and SMEs globally.
The international nature of these events ensures that their benefits reach a wider audience. The African Islamic Finance Summit offers state-of-the-art knowledge through a combination of sessions, speeches, and presentations designed across different tracks. These sessions focus on active learning within specific topics, allowing participants to gain a global perspective on Islamic finance.
Over the past 11 years, more than 1,800 participants from over 80 countries have attended these summits. The events have attracted a number of industry leaders and experts. The main objective of the summit is to explore Africa’s untapped market and to adopt the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities within the Islamic finance industry on the continent.
Key Objectives of the Summit:
- Raise awareness of Islamic banking and finance
- Establish Islamic banking and finance as a sustainable financial solution for Africa
- Strengthen Mauritius Islamic banking and finance sector
- Explore the potential of Islamic banking and finance
- Attract international business players, investors, and financial institutions to foster regional business growth
- Drive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Islamic banking and finance industry
Benefits of Attending:
- Discover best practices from both international and local markets
- Explore new opportunities within Islamic banking
- Enhance your understanding of the complexities of Islamic financial products and learn how to leverage them to expand your portfolio
- Position your organization to effectively navigate challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities
- Ensure sustainable growth for your institution in the future
- Learn strategies for success from experts leading the Islamic finance industry
- Provide a platform for discovering successful local and international practices
- Gain insights into winning strategies from industry leaders at the forefront of Islamic finance
Who Should Attend?
- Heads, Managing Directors, and CEOs of commercial and Islamic banks and financial institutions
- Retail, Corporate, SME, and Treasury Bankers
- Business Development Managers & Heads of Research and Development
- Financial Consultants & Advisors
- Unit Trust Agents and Insurance/Takaful Agents
- Brokers of Bonds and Sukuk, Fund Managers and Selectors
- Government Officials and Representatives
- Economists and Policy Makers
- Stock Brokers and Shareholders
- Financial Market Regulators
- Academics, Researchers and Media Professionals