The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has joined forces with Metropolitan Law Firm and the organizing committee of the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) to establish a groundbreaking platform aimed at fostering innovative, ethical, and sustainable financial solutions that will accelerate Africa’s infrastructure development and real sector expansion.
Both entities confirmed their collaboration to steer the agenda of the upcoming 7th AICIF, slated to be held in Lagos from November 4 to 5, 2025.
During a joint media briefing in Abuja, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the SEC, alongside Ummahani Amin, managing partner at Metropolitan Law Firm and chairperson of the AICIF 2025 planning committee, highlighted that the conference will transcend theoretical debates by delivering actionable approaches to financing Africa’s infrastructure through Islamic finance and other non-interest financial instruments.
Dr. Agama emphasized that the 2025 conference, themed “Africa Emerging: A Prosperous and Inclusive Outlook,” arrives at a pivotal juncture as Nigeria wraps up its Revised Capital Market Masterplan (2021-2025). The event is designed to unlock capital flows for Africa’s infrastructure by promoting sustainable, inclusive, and principled financing frameworks.
“This conference is not just another routine gathering,” Agama remarked. “We are assembling thought leaders to address the continent’s most pressing economic challenges, particularly the financing of critical infrastructure such as transportation networks, energy systems, and digital technologies essential for economic advancement.”
One of the conference’s highlight sessions, titled “Unlocking Capital for Africa’s Infrastructure,” will concentrate on practical methods to bridge the continent’s infrastructure funding gap by leveraging Islamic financial tools like Sukuk, interest-free bonds, and collective investment vehicles.
He noted that Nigeria’s non-interest capital market has surged to a valuation of N1.6 trillion, largely propelled by Sukuk issuances. The recent issuance’s 700% oversubscription rate underscores growing investor trust and enthusiasm for ethical financial products.
“The remarkable performance of Sukuk and similar instruments proves that ethical finance is not merely a moral imperative but a financially viable strategy for mobilizing development capital,” he added.
Dr. Agama also revealed that the enactment of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 has modernized Nigeria’s legal and regulatory landscape, bolstering confidence in non-interest financial mechanisms.
He described this legislation as transformative, providing a solid legal foundation for Sukuk and empowering the SEC to authorize Non-Interest Collective Investment Schemes, thereby fostering innovation and expanding market opportunities.
“This new legal framework enhances our ability to regulate, innovate, and deepen ethical finance products that can channel investments into sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, and technology,” he explained.
The SEC leader underscored that the 2025 AICIF aims to generate tangible economic impacts, producing key policy recommendations, stimulating fresh investment inflows, and inspiring novel financing models that connect capital markets with real economic growth.
“We anticipate that the insights gained from AICIF 2025 will shape the next chapter of our capital market’s evolution, ensuring it remains a dynamic driver of sustainable economic progress,” Agama concluded.
Beyond infrastructure, the conference will feature sessions such as “Green and Ethical Investments: The Future of Energy Finance” and “Agricultural Financing: From Farm to Table through Ethical Options.” These discussions will delve into how Islamic finance can support sustainable energy transitions and bolster food security through responsible capital allocation.
“Our goal is to link finance directly to the real economy – spanning agriculture, manufacturing, and fintech – to promote inclusive and widespread economic growth,” Agama stated.
In her address, Ummahani Amin highlighted that AICIF has emerged as one of Africa’s premier forums for advancing ethical and sustainable finance.
“AICIF serves as a collaborative space for policymakers, regulators, investors, and innovators to shape the future trajectory of non-interest finance across Africa,” she said.
Amin added that the 2025 conference will outline a strategic roadmap for how Islamic finance can act as a catalyst for infrastructure development and inclusive economic expansion, especially as African countries seek sustainable, long-term funding solutions to close their infrastructure gaps.
She stressed that the alliance between the SEC and Metropolitan Law Firm embodies a mutual dedication to fortifying the Islamic finance sector and broadening access to non-interest financial products that prioritize transparency and social impact.
“Our mission this year is clear – to showcase how ethical finance can mobilize capital for constructing roads, energy projects, housing, and other public infrastructure that drive genuine economic transformation,” Amin concluded.
