Infrastructure Financing, Sustainability and the Future of African Markets

AICIF NEWS RELEASE

All is set to host the 4^th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF), which is scheduled to hold on Monday 4th and Tuesday, 5^th November 2019.

The two-day event, which will take place at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will bring together experts in finance, infrastructure and various other sectors and segments of the economy.

The conference themed “Infrastructure Financing, Sustainability and the Future of African Markets” will feature the 14th Emir of Kano, his Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, CON as the first keynote speaker, while Oussama Kaissi, Chief Executive Officer of the Islamic corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, (ICIEC) of the Islamic Development Bank Group, will give the second keynote.

Speaking about the forthcoming event, the conference chair, Ummahani Amin disclosed that one of the fundamental goals of the conference was to establish a community of Practice that will serve as a credible resource/support for Islamic Finance deal structuring and create a platform for financial institutions and other key eco-system players to demonstrate their commitment and support for the development of Islamic Finance in Africa.

“With focus on Islamic Microfinance as a tool for financial inclusion, poverty alleviation and promoting economic growth, the AICIF conference hopes to motivate financial institutions to push for more defined regulations on Islamic finance,” she said.

Unveiling some of the speakers at the 4^th AICIF, Amin revealed that the line-up included, thought leaders and experts from different jurisdictions where Islamic Finance has progressed. Among these are, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State; Muhammed Dabai Suleyman, Director, FSS2020; Ahmad Usman Kollere, Assistant Director (Head, Financial Inclusion) NAICOM Abuja; Toyin. F Sanni, Group CEO, Emerging Africa Capital; Gbenga Oyebode, Chairman, Aluko & Oyebode; and Dr Konstantinos Tsanis of FinTech Association of Nigeria – who is currently leading the innovation and transformation arm of Alat, created by WEMA Bank.

Others are, Abdulkader Thomas, Chairman, Shariah Board, Sterling Bank; Norfadelizan Abdulrahman, MD, TAJ Consortium Limited;

The Chairperson of the conference also disclosed that with the line-up of speakers above, will avail participants with an enormous wealth of experience to be shared at the conference, which according to her has the potential to lead to exponential growth & development in the country.