Over the past few years there has been a significant growth in trade and investment between Africa and the major markets across the world, and the continent has made great strides in building strong investment ties especially with the Middle East and broader OIC markets.

Hosted by The Central Bank of Djibouti and held under the Patronage of the President of Republic of Djibouti, the International Islamic Banking Summit Africa: Djibouti 2016 is an innovative gathering which regularly convenes global industry leaders to boost economic development and facilitate greater trade and investment flows between Africa and the OIC markets through Islamic finance.

Over the coming years, Islamic banking is set to become much more integrated with the broader financial sector, and its impact is already being felt on the competitive landscape. The International Islamic Banking Summit Africa: Djibouti 2016, hosted by the Central Bank of Djibouti and held under the patronage of H.E. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djiboutiand Head of Government, will address the 3 key driving forces that are shaping the progress of Islamic finance in Africa.

The conference has an innovative and interactive format spread over 2 days and will be officially inaugurated on the 2^ndof November 2016 with opening keynote addresses by H.E. Ahmed Osman, Governor, Central Bank of Djibouti;H.E. Abdelrahman Hassan Abdelrahman Hashim, Governor, Central Bank of Sudan; H.E. Getahun Nana Jenber, Vice Governor, National Bank of Ethiopia; and H.E. Khaled M. Al‐Aboodi, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector. This opening keynote plenary focuses on Building the Regulatory Infrastructure Essential to Creating a Strong Future for Islamic Finance in Africa.

The opening keynote session is followed by a special Presidential Plenary Address delivered by H. E. ISMAÏL OMAR GUELLEH, President of the Republic of Djibouti and Head of Government.

Speaking ahead of his keynote address, H.E. Ahmed Osman, Governor of the Central Bank of Djibouti commented: “The International Islamic Banking Summit Africa: Djibouti 2016 is an innovative gathering which regularly convenes global industry leaders to boost economic development and facilitate greater trade and investment flows between Africa and the OIC markets through Islamic finance. Islamic banking brings several key value propositions to Africa; most notably in the areas of enabling infrastructure finance, boosting international trade & investment flows, and deepening financial inclusion; and accordingly this year’s Summit will focus on Harnessing the Driving Forces for the Successful Development of Islamic Finance in Africa”.

The Summit continues with keynote addresses from Abdelilah Belatik, Secretary General, General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI); H.E. Dr. SidiOuldTah, Director General, The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA); Jaafar S. Abdulkadir, Head of Islamic Banking, KCB Bank Group; and Roberto Giori, President, The Roberto Giori Company. This keynote session will focus on how Islamic Finance can better connect Africa to the Gulf, Broader OIC Markets and Beyond.

Speaking ahead of the event, Jaafar S. Abdulkadir, Head of Islamic Banking, KCB Bank Group said: “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. 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 International Islamic Banking Summit Africa: Djibouti 2016 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.”

Another major highlight of the International Islamic Banking Summit Africa: Djibouti 2016 is the Leader’s Dialogue Live!interview session which will be presented as a live onstage one-on-one discussion with a leading player in the global Islamic finance industry. This will be a unique opportunity to engage directly with the key issues and gain a fresh perspective and first-hand insights into what we can expect from the Islamic finance industry going forward. The live interview session features renowned industry leader and global Islamic banker,Afaq Khan who will be interview by seasoned Islamic banker, Moinuddin Malim, the Managing Partner of Alternative International Management Services (AIMS Dubai).

The Summit continues with a number of innovative sessions that focus on important issues such as The Path Towards a Digitalized Islamic Bank; Trade & Investment; Infrastructure Finance; and Innovation & Financial Inclusion. Each of these sessions will be led by Islamic finance leaders from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

The second day of the conference follows a practical master class format, which will be led by AIMS Dubai and ABL Dunamis Uganda respectively, and these combine a highly interactive analysis of the key issues that will progress Islamic finance in Africa.    _______________________________________________________________________________

The International Islamic Banking Summit Africa: Djibouti 2016 (IIBSA 2016) is created in collaboration with Ethico Live!

Ethico Live Limited is a UK registered company with its corporate headquarters at 110 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3BX, UK. Through our on-the-ground presence in key centres across the world we are able to erve our clients in the global financial markets with high-profile international conferences in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

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