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.

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 |
Quickly harness dynamic thinking through value added models.
Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Hyatt Regency is located just 15 minutes from Bole International Airport and is centrally located on Meskel Square, connecting to the large artery roads of Addis Ababa. Read More
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