Somali and Nairobi Stock Exchanges to Host East Africa Islamic Finance Forum 2025

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: The Somali Stock Exchange (SSE) and the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) will jointly host the East Africa Islamic Finance Forum 2025 in Nairobi on December 2–3, marking a major step toward expanding ethical and Shariah-compliant finance across the region.

The two-day event will bring together policymakers, investors, and financial experts to strengthen cooperation between East Africa’s emerging Islamic finance sector and established markets in the Middle East and beyond.

SSE Chief Executive Hassan Dudde said the forum aims to open investment opportunities for regional citizens through halal shares and sukuk, supporting inclusive and sustainable development. “We are ensuring that our capital markets provide a platform for ethical investment accessible to all,” he said.

The forum comes as Islamic finance continues to gain momentum globally, with assets surpassing an estimated US$4.5 trillion in 2024. East Africa has seen rapid growth in the sector, with the number of Islamic financial institutions in the region rising from 16 in 2012 to 84 in 2022, including 19 each in Somalia and Kenya.

Organisers say the forum will focus on practical strategies for mobilising Shariah-compliant capital, developing regulatory frameworks, and boosting financial inclusion. It will also spotlight innovation in Islamic banking, capital markets, and insurance, helping position East Africa as a growing hub for ethical finance.