The UAE-based AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (AlHuda CIBE) will host the International Interest-Free Banking & Takaful Awards 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 17 August to recognise outstanding achievements, innovation, and leadership in the global interest-free finance industry.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Hyatt Regency alongside the 6th International Interest-Free Banking & Takaful Forum 2026, which is being held under the patronage of the National Bank of Ethiopia. The event serves as a global platform to honour excellence across interest-free banking, Takaful, Islamic FinTech, interest-free microfinance, Shariah governance, and financial inclusion.
Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Chief Executive Officer of AlHuda CIBE, stated: “The International Interest-Free Banking & Takaful Awards celebrate institutions and professionals whose vision, innovation, and commitment are transforming the Interest free finance landscape. By recognizing excellence, we aim to inspire greater collaboration, strengthen interest free financial practices, and support the sustainable development of interest-free finance across emerging and established markets.”
Nominations, which remain open until 10 August 2026, will be assessed through a transparent and merit-based evaluation process by an independent panel of industry experts, academics, and Shariah scholars. The assessment will be based on innovation, governance, sustainable growth, customer value, and overall industry impact.
Categories for this year’s awards feature a broad range of segments, including Best Interest-Free Bank of the Year, Best Islamic Corporate Bank, Best Takaful Company of the Year, Best Islamic FinTech Company, Best Financial Inclusion Initiative, Best Women Empowerment Initiative in Interest free Banking, and Best Islamic Microfinance Institution, alongside several other distinguished recognitions.
The awards aim to encourage best practices, strengthen interest-free finance, and inspire institutions to drive innovation within the financial services sector. Winners will gain international recognition, strengthen institutional credibility, and showcase achievements before a global audience, creating new opportunities for strategic partnerships and business growth.
The ceremony will convene central bankers, regulators, policymakers, chief executives, Shariah scholars, investors, development organisations, and financial institutions from across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Nominations are open to interest-free banks, conventional banks with interest-free banking operations, Takaful and Retakaful companies, Islamic FinTech firms, regulators, microfinance institutions, development organisations, and industry professionals.
Expected to be a landmark event strengthening partnerships and promoting the future growth of interest-free finance across Africa, the forum and awards are part of AlHuda CIBE’s continued commitment to the global development of Islamic banking and finance.
The UAE-based organisation is a globally recognised advisory, consultancy, education, and capacity-building institution dedicated to developing Islamic banking, Islamic finance, Takaful, Sukuk, Islamic microfinance, and the Halal industry. Through its consultancy services, professional training programmes, international conferences, research, publications, and Shariah advisory, AlHuda CIBE has contributed to the growth of the Islamic finance industry in more than 104 countries, remaining committed to promoting ethical and sustainable financial solutions through knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships.
Nominations and registrations can be submitted via the organisation’s website (www.alhudacibe.com/ibtf2026/award.php). Further information and media inquiries can be directed to Communications Manager Shaguftta Perveen at [email protected] or via telephone at +971 528655523.
