African Islamic Finance Summit Returns to Mauritius for 12th Edition

Mauritius Prepares to Host Continental Islamic Finance Leaders

The 12th African Islamic Finance Summit will convene December 1–3, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Mauritius, bringing together central bankers, regulators, Shariah scholars, investors and policymakers under the theme "Islamic Finance Powering Africa's Transformation." Organized by AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (AlHuda CIBE) in collaboration with Al Barakah Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Ltd and supported by MAC & RO Capital FZC as gold partner, the summit marks a return to the island nation that has previously hosted the event.

Program Structured Around Key Growth Pillars

This year's agenda spans four dedicated sessions covering Islamic banking, financial inclusion, Islamic FinTech, Takaful, Sukuk and cross-border investment. A post-event workshop on practical aspects of Islamic banking, Takaful and Islamic microfinance follows on December 2, with an industry visit scheduled for December 3. The African Islamic Finance Awards 2026 will also take place on the opening day, recognizing outstanding institutions and individuals advancing the sector.

Diplomatic Endorsements Highlight Strategic Importance

H.E. Mr. Munsoo Kurrimbaccus, High Commissioner of Mauritius to Pakistan, emphasized the summit's timing as Islamic finance gains global recognition as a resilient, ethical and inclusive system promoting shared prosperity. H.E. Mr. Mohammad Riad Parvez Hullemuth, Mauritius' Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, noted the sector's vital role in promoting sustainable economic development, financial inclusion and ethical investment across Africa, expressing hope the event strengthens Mauritius' position as a leading finance hub.

Africa's Expanding Islamic Finance Landscape

• An estimated 636 million Muslims — nearly 53 percent of the continent's population — represent one of the fastest-growing frontiers for Shariah-compliant finance
• Key growth centers include Senegal, Morocco, Sudan, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa
• Expanding financial inclusion efforts and rising demand for ethical financial solutions drive market development

Since its inception, the summit has rotated across Mauritius, Tanzania, The Gambia and Somaliland, drawing more than 1,800 participants from over 80 countries across its first eleven editions.

Connecting Global Expertise With Local Opportunity

Muhammad Zubair Mughal, CEO of AlHuda CIBE, described Africa as one of the most promising frontiers for Islamic finance and positioned Mauritius as an ideal platform to connect global expertise with local opportunity. The summit aims to deepen collaboration among regulators, institutions and investors to support stronger, more inclusive Shariah-compliant financial systems continent-wide.