July 22, 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent, home to a rapidly growing population exceeding 1.4 billion people and representing a significant share of the global emerging market landscape. The continent offers immense potential for the expansion of interest-free (Islamic) banking and finance, driven by increasing demand for ethical, inclusive, and Shariah-compliant financial solutions.
Islam is one of the major religions across Africa, alongside Christianity, creating a strong foundation for the growth of Islamic finance. In addition, a large unbanked population, supportive regulatory developments in several countries, and rising awareness of ethical finance are key factors accelerating the adoption of interest-free financial systems across the region.
Connecting Global Expertise with Africa’s Emerging Islamic Finance Markets
| Inauguration Session: |
|---|
| Welcome Address |
| Opening Remarks |
| Special Acknowledgements |
| Vote of Thanks |
| Session I: Islamic Finance in Africa: Trends, Challenges & Future Potential |
| Growth of interest-free banking in Ethiopia & Africa |
| Market opportunities & unbanked population |
| Role of Islamic finance in economic development |
| Cross-border expansion opportunities |
| Session II: Regulatory Framework & Shariah Governance |
| Role of central banks & policymakers |
| Shariah governance frameworks |
| Standardization challenges (AAOIFI/IFSB) |
| Legal & tax frameworks for Islamic finance |
| Session III: Expanding Takaful for Inclusive Protection in Africa |
| Growth of Takaful in emerging markets |
| Micro-Takaful for low-income segments |
| Digital Takaful models |
| Public awareness & trust building |
| Session IV: Panel Discussion: Investment, Collaboration, and Innovation in Interest-Free Finance |
| Investment opportunities in Ethiopia and across Africa |
| Role of development institutions in supporting Islamic finance growth |
| Public-private partnerships and strategic alliances for sustainable development |
| Fintech solutions for Islamic banking and financial inclusion |
| Digital onboarding and expanding access to underserved communities |
| Blockchain technology and smart contracts in Islamic finance |
| * Closing Ceremony: Recognition of Award Winners, Awards Presentation & Certificate Conferment |
Workshop Overview
This specialized post-event workshop is designed to provide practical, hands-on knowledge on risk management and deposit structuring in Interest-Free Banking and Finance.
The workshop will focus on key risk areas, Shariah-compliant deposit models, and liquidity management practices, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world implementation. Participants will gain practical insights to effectively manage risks and optimize deposit portfolios in Islamic financial institutions.
| Objectives - Participants will be able to: |
|---|
| Understand key risk types in Interest-Free Banking (credit, liquidity, operational, and Shariah risk) |
| Explore Shariah-compliant deposit products and structures (e.g., Mudarabah, Wadiah) |
| Develop effective risk mitigation and management strategies |
| Analyze deposit mobilization and portfolio management techniques |
| Strengthen liquidity and asset-liability management (ALM) practices |
| Ensure compliance with Shariah governance and regulatory frameworks |
| Enhance customer confidence through transparent and compliant deposit practices |
| Workshop Contents - Session I: Operational Framework of Interest-Free Banking |
| Business models (Full-fledged vs Windows) |
| Core Islamic contracts: Murabaha, Mudarabah, Musharakah, Ijarah, Salam, Istisna |
| Product structuring & documentation |
| Deposit mobilization (Current vs Investment Accounts) |
| Session II: Technical & Risk Management Aspects |
| Risk types in IFIs (Credit, Market, Liquidity, Operational) |
| Asset-liability management in IFBs |
| Profit distribution mechanisms |
| Regulatory compliance & reporting |
| IT systems & digital banking integration |
| Session III: Shariah Governance & Compliance |
| Role of Shariah Supervisory Board (SSB) |
| Shariah audit & review processes |
| AAOIFI & IFSB standards implementation |
| Ensuring Shariah compliance in operations |
| Common Shariah non-compliance risks & mitigation |
| Session IV: Takaful Operations & Models |
| Takaful vs Conventional Insurance |
| Models: Wakalah, Mudarabah, Hybrid |
| Underwriting & claims management |
| Retakaful arrangements |
| Micro-Takaful for financial inclusion |
| Closing & Certificate Distribution |
Organized by AlHuda CIBE and In Association With Akhuwat and Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector
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Ethiopia is an emerging but still underdeveloped market for interest-free finance, where interest-free finance principles are gradually gaining traction alongside broader financial sector reforms. The country’s banking system has recently begun to accommodate interest-free (Islamic) banking windows under the regulatory oversight of the National Bank of Ethiopia, supporting growing demand for Shariah-compliant services such as takaful (Islamic insurance) and interest-free microfinance, especially in underserved and rural communities. Read More
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