IFN OnAir

Stella Cox , Managing Director, DDCAP Group and Chair of TheCityUK Islamic Finance Advisory Group

As demand for Shariah-compliant solutions grows, so too do opportunities for investment managers. We examine how UK Islamic asset management is currently positioned and where product development, asset class innovation, and green finance integration can unlock significant value. We explore the creation of large, scalable Shariah compliant investable capital pools—and what it all means for forward-...

With a large, underserved demographic, what is the potential for Shariah compliant pension solutions in the UK? We explore innovative approaches to annuities and income drawdowns through Takaful and other structures. We highlight untapped market segments, discuss scalable models, and examine how providers can meet demand while navigating regulatory and operational challenges. Moderator: Olga De Ta...

How is technology reshaping the UK Islamic finance landscape? We explore the evolving role of Islamic fintechs, shifting consumer expectations, and whether niche Shariah-compliant segments are being adequately served. What innovations are improving user experience, and what can be learnt from global peers? Moderator: Nitish Bhojnagarwala , Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group,...

How have Islamic capital markets performed and what is a realistic assessment of financial institution, corporate and Sovereign Sukuk markets? Is the UK leveraging on its reputation for innovative capital market products and services? How can London cement its position as a listing and arranging centre for international Shariah compliant capital market transactions and funds? What further opportun...

In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Dr Ilyas Zaripov, associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics and a member of the Central Bank of Russia’s partnership financing working group, dives into Russia’s evolving Islamic finance landscape. He discusses the three-year extension of the pilot experiment, the challenges and opportunities ahead and the steps needed to...

This episode examines the growth trajectory of Indonesia’s Islamic capital market, as Irwan Abdalloh, Vice Director of Islamic Capital Market – Indonesia Stock Exchange, speaks to IFN about investor trends, market innovation, new regulations and the broader Islamic finance outlook.

This episode explores the evolving Islamic finance strategy of South Africa’s Standard Bank Group, as Ameen Hassen, the head of Shariah banking, speaks to IFN Editor Nessreen Tamano about the bank’s Islamic finance roadmap and the broader South African market landscape.

State Senator Kevin Parker , New York State Senate

Justin Alexander , Director, Khalij Economics and GCC Analyst, GlobalSource Partners

What’s a realistic assessment of Shariah compliant investment management in North America? What trends are influencing this in terms of investment patterns, structure and asset allocation? Has Islamic asset management in the US been positioned and promoted effectively, and what more could be done? What innovation is being seen in Islamic investment management and how is technology being deployed?...

Patrick Drum , Fixed Income Lead and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Capital

What are current market trends in private capital in the US and what are the underlying factors driving growth? What opportunities are on offer for US Shariah compliant private capital investment, including asset-backed credit, venture funds, private equity, real assets, and real estate? Is there US-domiciled Islamic private equity for US deals, and if so, where’s the smart money at? Moderator: Ka...

We cast a critical eye over the range of Shariah compliant investment products currently available to investors in the US market, including ETFs, REITs, mutual funds and other products. What is being done well, what can be improved and what additional products and asset classes would be beneficial for US investors? Moderator: Zeshan Gondal , Senior Vice President, Stearns Salaam Banking Panelists:...

How are fintechs addressing the needs of American Muslim investors, and how is asset tokenization assisting investor access to real assets and Sukuk? What is offered by P2P and equity crowdfunding, and what is a realistic assessment of the market for digital assets, including crypto? What regulatory changes would help the development of Islamic investment products in North America? Moderator: Ishm...

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Maryam Khosrowshahi, Chair Global SSA and Head Sub-Saharan Africa Coverage & CEEMEA Sovereign DCM, Deutsche Bank, on structuring an award-winning Shariah compliant healthcare financing deal in Côte d’Ivoire and using ICIEC’s Non-Honoring of Sovereign Financial Obligation policy

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Vicente Pons, Managing Principal, Frontera Capital Group, on structuring a risk-remote, Solvency II-aligned facility supported by ICIEC credit insurance and mobilizing international capital into frontier markets through innovative, development-focused finance

In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Noor Azam Yusof, the CEO of Sun Life Malaysia Takaful, discusses the evolving landscape of Takaful in Malaysia, highlighting digital transformation, ESG initiatives and future opportunities in the industry.

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ahmed Munawar, Governor, Maldives Monetary Authority, on advancing Islamic finance in the Maldives through MISFI, education partnerships, public awareness via Tamveel and future regional ambitions

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Fisheries & Ocean Resources, Republic of Maldives, on IsDB’s Lives and Livelihoods Fund, its main objectives and how it is structured as a development initiative

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Sujithav Sarangi, Executive Director, Development & Agency Finance, Standard Chartered, on leveraging Islamic finance to support inclusive growth in Uzbekistan, ICIEC’s role in risk mitigation, advancing sustainable development and the importance of multi-institutional partnerships in emerging markets.

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Yasser Madani Alaki, Director, Business Development Department, The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on leveraging strategic partnerships with IFC and DZ Bank to support long-term development in member countries and harnessing emerging technologies to enhance underwriting and risk management

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Youssef Ben Henda, Senior Regional Officer, Arab World & Turkey-Representative Offices, Islamic Banking, Union de Banques Arabes et Françaises (UBAF), on the evolution and impact of UBAF’s long-standing partnership with ICIEC, the role of the Documentary Credit Insurance Policy in facilitating trade and prospects for future collaboration amid shifting gl...

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Nasser M. Al Thekair, General Manager, Trade & Business Development, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), on delivering trade solutions across OIC countries, enhancing regional integration, supporting businesses during crises and ITFC’s strategic vision for 2025 and beyond

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Abdou DIAW, Coordonnateur National, PROMISE, on supporting Islamic microfinance in Senegal and partnering with organizations like the IsDB to help expand access to services in the nation