Islamic Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa, 10-11th May
New Momentum, New Opportunities for Growth Across the Continent
Islamic finance is still at an early stage of development in Sub-Saharan Africa and the market share of Islamic banks is comparatively small. According to the IMF, about half of the region’s total population is still unbanked. Furthermore, the Sub-Saharan Africa Muslim population, currently at nearly 250 million people, is projected to reach upwards of 380 million by 2030 and financial services are expected to significantly rise as a share of GDP – setting the stage for a dynamic growth market for Islamic finance across the continent.
5th May 2016, UGANDA: Islamic finance in Sub-Saharan Africa is strongly predicted to have a promising future in light of exciting growth opportunities for the sector to flourish in key markets across Africa. Analysts note that African countries are increasingly keen to tap into Islamic finance as they seek to attract FDI, especially from Arabian Gulf countries.
In addition, the suitability of Islamic financial products such as Sukuk to meet the burgeoning large-scale infrastructure
funding requirements in Africa, as well as the industry’s potential to play a more meaningful role in financial inclusion and deepening in the continent are adding to the appeal of Islamic finance in Africa.
Focusing on a fresh approach on how industry leaders from across the key markets of Africa and internationally can engage with the major issues impacting the future of Islamic finance, The Sub-Saharan Africa Islamic Finance Convention 2016 will take place on the 10th & 11th of May 2016 at the Kampala Serena Hotel in Uganda, under the theme “Africa’s New Momentum: Islamic finance as the new paradigm for sustaining growth in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
Speaking ahead of the Convention, David McLean, President of Ethico Live, said that: “With financial inclusion becoming an increasingly important strategic priority, the challenge of delivering affordable and accessible financial services to low-income markets in Sub-Saharan Africa is an increasingly urgent one. Islamic finance is well positioned to play the role of a driving force for positive change and can support the development of both the consumer and the strategically vital MSME markets across Africa. Islamic finance also has the potential to play a major role in the funding of government prioritized infrastructure projects in the region.”
The Sub-Saharan Africa Islamic Finance Convention 2016 has confirmed an outstanding line-up of internationally respected speakers. The convention opens with a keynote session featuring Fabian Kasi, Chairman of the Uganda Bankers Association; and Gideon Badagawa, Executive Director of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, which focuses on Africa: New Momentum, New Opportunities – Assessing the Economic Transformation of Africa.
This is followed by another high-profile session featuring Jaafar Abdulkadir, Head of Islamic Banking at KCB Bank Group; and Abubaker B. Mayanja, Managing Director of ABL Dunamis Limited, who will discuss how Islamic finance can work as a new engine for capital formation and enterprise funding to sustain growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Jaafar Abdulkadir, Head of Islamic Banking of KCB Bank Group, speaking ahead of his participation in the Convention, said that: “As home to an increasing Muslim demographic, the impact on demand for Islamic finance in Africa will be sizable. Inadequate access to funds is a major developmental constraint for Africa and many SMEs, entities and entrepreneurs remain outside the mainstream banking system. Islamic finance has the potential to be a catalyst for financial inclusion across Africa and can become an important source of capital for small companies and individuals.”
Mr. Abdulkadir continued by saying, “Africa’s challenges, including infrastructure financing and the need for wider access to financial services, also provide an opportunity for the Islamic finance industry to grow. KCB Group recently unveiled its Islamic banking unit in a move aimed at tapping into the growing demand for Islamic financial products, especially across the East African region. While the launch paves the way for the full roll-out of Sharia’h compliant products, the Islamic finance industry still needs to create an enabling environment and economies of scale and the Sub-Saharan Africa Islamic Finance Convention presents the kind of international platform where GCC and international players can engage the African market to forge new business relationships and stimulate economic growth of the region and the entire continent.”
The second day of the Sub-Saharan Africa Islamic Finance Convention 2016 sees a parallel session led by MISYS Financial Software, under the theme of “Retail & Digital Channels & Risk Disruption”. The session will focus on bringing together Risk Managers from across Africa and internationally.
The Sub-Saharan Africa Islamic Finance Convention 2016 will take place in Uganda at the Kampala Serena Hotel on the 10th and 11th of May 2016.
The Sub-Saharan Islamic Finance Convention is created in collaboration between Ethico Live! and ABL Dunamis.
For Further Details, please contact:
Shweta Gupta,
email: shwetagupta@ethicolive.com
tel: +91 124 418 2794
http://www.ethicolive.com/events/uganda/
