Islamic Finance News

Supplements

The August IFN Supplement will focus on Africa, home to the world�s most resource-rich nations, and considered a strong emerging market for Islamic finance. Recognized for its wealth in commodities and raw materials, Africa is fast becoming a significant player in the financial realm, including Islamic finance. The latest development in its Islamic capital markets and investment space will be comprehensively covered in this report. Countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa are visibly increasing their commitment to growing their respective Islamic banking and investment space, and are starting to see an influx of investments from Asia and the Middle East. We will delve into the growth prospects for this rich and diverse continent, and the investment prospects that lie ahead for Islamic investors. The cover story will focus on where Islamic finance lies with respect to the financial intermediaries� plans for the future and what the local regulatory bodies are doing to aid its growth. Other in-house authored features will focus on trade and project financing, Sino-African ties and the huge potential both the microfinance and Takaful industries may play in the future growth of Islamic finance in the African continent at large. View interactive book View PDF Edition

CONTENTS COVER STORY The sleeping giant Development, trade, labor movement, and an influx of investors are quickly boosting the resource-rich African economy. How high is Islamic finance on the agenda of banks and financial institutions alike and what are the prospects for this sector? FEATURES Reviving lost trade Africa, a thriving trade destination for the Middle East, Europe, India and China up until the 19th century, is once more on the brink of a trade flurry after decades of dormancy. Banking on microfinance At present, over 410 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are living below the poverty line. Could Islamic microfinance be the panacea for millions of Africa�s poor? Asset management in South Africa Islamic finance has seen exponential growth in Africa, particularly in the North African region, and of late to the west and east of Africa as well. Africa is home to about 412 million Muslims with a high concentration focused in the regions mentioned above. African emergence The African Takaful market is gearing itself up as an important future market in the Takaful arena. SCOTT WEBER turns his gaze towards the latest incumbents in what is proving to be Takaful�s next frontier.