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A strategic dialogue on integration, scalability, and operating model transformation for Ethiopia's financial leaders.
Islamic banking in Ethiopia is evolving from a niche offering into a core strategic pillar for financial institutions. As the market matures, banks are shifting focus from entry and expansion toward integration, scalability, and operating model transformation.
The structural separation between Islamic and conventional banking has resulted in duplication, inefficiencies, and limited scale. This places operating model design and integration at the center of strategic priorities for Ethiopian banking leadership.
This closed-door executive session convenes senior banking leaders to explore how institutions can move toward fully integrated Islamic banking models that support long-term growth, governance clarity, and regulatory expectations.
Understanding the strategic shift from standalone Islamic windows to an integrated scalable model that drives competitive edge.
Solutions to fragmentation across governance, risk, operations, and technology between conventional and Islamic units.
Aligning with evolving NBE directives and Shariah governance while unlocking new market potential.
Understand how Islamic banking is becoming central to long-term strategy and competitive positioning beyond standalone products.
Benchmark with peers solving operational inefficiencies caused by conventional vs Islamic separation.
Engage with MDs, COOs, Heads of Islamic banking in an intimate, non-commercial environment.
Explore Islamic financing opportunities across SME, trade finance, and infrastructure through integrated models.
Move beyond theory: operating model design, governance alignment, and technology enablement.
20 May 2026 | Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa
| Time (EAT) | Session & Details |
|---|---|
| 17:00 |
Registration & Networking Arrival, refreshments, and peer-to-peer engagement among senior banking leaders. |
| 17:30 |
Welcome Address Opening remarks setting the strategic context and framing the evolution of Islamic banking in Ethiopia. |
| 17:40 |
Industry Keynote · Deep Dive: Islamic Banking in Ethiopia – From Niche Offering to Core Strategy Exploring the transition from a specialised offering to a central strategic pillar within Ethiopian financial institutions. Speaker: Abdulkadir Wolela, Director, Interest Free Banking, Zemen Bank S.C.
|
| 18:00 |
Keynote · Azentio: Islamic Banking Integration & Operating Model Scale in Ethiopia How banks are addressing integration challenges, scaling operating models, and moving toward unified Islamic banking structures. Speaker: Josiah Waweru, Enterprise Sales Manager, Azentio Software
|
| 18:20 |
Tea & Coffee Break A short refreshment break and opportunity for informal networking before the panel discussion. |
| 18:35 |
Panel Discussion: Designing Integrated Islamic Banking Operating Models Frameworks and approaches for building scalable, integrated, and fully compliant Islamic banking models.
Panelists:
|
| 18:50 |
Networking Reception Informal networking and continued discussions among peers and industry leaders. |
*Agenda subject to change · Programme confirmed closer to the event date · By invitation only
Distinguished banking leaders shaping the future of Islamic finance integration in Ethiopia.
Join an exclusive circle of senior decision-makers actively shaping the next phase of Islamic banking in Ethiopia. Registrations are subject to validation — C-suite and heads of Islamic banking only.
Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa
20 May 2026 | 5pm – 8pm EAT
Supporting the dialogue on Islamic banking transformation across Ethiopia
