Event Aims to Advance Financial Inclusion and Economic Development 

AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) is organizing the 5^th International Interest-Free Banking & Takaful forum in Ethiopia. This event aims to improve the country's economic conditions in both rural and urban areas. It will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Addis Ababa on the 20^th – 21^st of August 2024, followed by workshops on the 22^nd of July 2024.

Over 15 international speakers will discuss topics related to interest-free banking and takaful. The conference will have participants from Ethiopia, other African countries, and international organizations such as central banks, banking and financial sectors, microfinance, and the insurance industry. H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and H.E. Atif Sharif Mian, Ambassador, Embassy of Pakistan, Ethiopia, will honor the event.

The event is proudly sponsored by Ethiopian Insurance Corporation and ZamZam Bank, and supported by the Somaliland Banker’s Association (SLBA), Islamic Finance Research Institute Ghana, AL BARAKAH Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited, Azerbaijan Fintech Association (AzFina), and Africa Fintech Network. We are also delighted to partner with Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian Holidays for this event. Media partners for the event include IFING-MEDIA, Mesofinance Monthly, and Financial IT.

Mr. M. Zubair Mughal, CEO of AlHuda CIBE, expressed gratitude to the supporters and sponsors for their continuous trust and unprecedented support for the event. The event aims to address the challenge of providing financial services to Ethiopia's predominantly rural population through digital solutions. With approximately two-thirds of the population living below the poverty line and 62% employed in the agriculture sector, targeting these groups is crucial for improving financial inclusion in Ethiopia.

Mr. Mughal emphasized that interest-free banking and finance present the best opportunity to uplift the poor. Investing in interest-free banking and finance has the potential to attract foreign investment, leading to enhanced global connectivity, improved job creation, socio-economic development, and poverty alleviation.

The forum aims to achieve several key objectives, such as recognizing significant advancements in Africa's interest-free financial infrastructure, establishing connections between the African interest-free finance industry and the international financial market, showcasing the resilience of interest-free (Islamic) financial markets during recent financial crises, sharing best practices from the international interest-free banking industry with African interest-free finance industry, and evaluating innovations in interest-free financial markets through the expansion of newly developed research-based products.

This event is open to the public with a very low entrance fee. It is highly recommended that more organizations, companies, and banks participate in the forum to fully benefit from this international event in Ethiopia. AlHuda Center of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) is a well-recognized name in the Islamic banking and finance industry for research and provides state-of-the-art Advisory Consultancy and Education through various well-recognized modes viz.

Islamic Financial Product Development, Shariah Advisory, training workshops, Islamic Microfinance and Takaful Consultancies, etc., side by side through our distinguished, generally acceptable, and well-known Publications in Islamic Banking and Finance.

We are dedicated to serving the community as a unique institution, advisory, and capacity building for the last twelve years. The prime goal has always been to stick to the commitment to providing Services in UAE/Pakistan and worldwide. We have so far served in more than 35 Countries for the development of the Islamic Banking and Finance industry.

South Sudan remains one of the most perilous environments for humanitarian workers in 2024, with 24 attacks on aid workers recorded so far this year, the UN said Monday.

In a statement on the accusation of World Humanitarian Day, the UN humanitarian agency (UNOCHA) said access constraints across South Sudan hamper efforts to deliver urgent, life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable populations.

Between January and July, 267 humanitarian access incidents were reported, with 135 incidents involving direct violence against humanitarian personnel and assets, including 28 incidents of looting and theft. Escalating insecurity has forced 15 humanitarian staff to relocate from their operational areas.
 
“On World Humanitarian Day, we honour the bravery and sacrifice of humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” said Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. “Their unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering and delivering assistance to those in need cannot be overstated.”

The UN agency also warned about the humanitarian and economic outlook in a country facing the effect of conflict in neighbouring Sudan 780,000 refugees and internally displaced people; uncertainty in the face of critical political events necessary for a successful transition.

In 2024, 9 million people – three-quarters of South Sudan’s population – are projected to require humanitarian and protection assistance, the agency said.

 
“Without a safe space for aid workers, we risk failing the millions who depend on it,” emphasized Ms. Gbeho. “With South Sudan on the brink of severe flooding and thousands of returnees arriving from Sudan, the need for safe access to deliver vital aid is critical,” concluded the Humanitarian Coordinator.
 
On World Humanitarian Day, the humanitarian community calls on all stakeholders to prioritize the safety and security of humanitarian workers in South Sudan.

In 2008, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day. Each year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day advocates for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers. Radio Tamazuj