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PITCH COMPETITION

Africa faces persistent challenges such as inadequate access to finance, high unemployment, and social inequality. Conventional financial systems often fall short in addressing these issues, particularly among rural and underserved populations. Islamic finance, rooted in ethical principles of risk-sharing, social responsibility, and prohibiting exploitative practices, offers alternative pathways to economic empowerment and community development.

Moreover, as the global Islamic finance industry continues to grow—surpassing $3.7 trillion by 2024—Africa has the potential to become a hub for this sector, particularly in regions with significant Muslim populations. The African International Conference on Islamic Finance 2025 aims to bridge this gap by fostering deeper engagement with Islamic finance across African economies.

The African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) brings together thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and academics to explore the role of Islamic finance in driving sustainable economic growth, fostering community development, and creating lasting social impact across Africa. Set against the backdrop of rapid economic transformation in the continent, Islamic finance offers innovative and ethical solutions to address pressing challenges like poverty, financial inclusion, and equitable growth.

Scheduled for November 2025, this conference highlights the potential of Islamic finance to not only stimulate economic development but also to empower communities, build collaborative partnerships, and catalyze impactful investment, and will focus on leveraging Islamic finance for community development, sustainable growth, and impact-driven investments

AICIF proposes to feature a pitch competition aimed at supporting innovative ventures, where a non-profit social impact organization and a halal tech startup will each win a N5 million grant, further aligning with the conference’s focus on social responsibility and ethical innovation. The Pitch Competition will spotlight pioneering ventures that align with Islamic finance principles and drive positive social impact. The competition features two categories—Non-Profit Social Impact Organization and Halal Tech Startup—with each winner receiving a N5 million grant to support and scale their initiatives. By showcasing innovative, Shariah-compliant solutions, the competition will to encourage ethical practices that address Africa’s economic and social challenges. Finalists will go through a screening process and finalists will present their projects to a panel of experts, gaining exposure, mentorship, and the opportunity to further their impact.

7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance.

Pitch Competition

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Judges

Ayeesha Bala Wunti

Founding Partner/CEO

Judges' Bio

Usman Abdullahi Badamasi

Head of the Software Development Initiatives Branch at NITDA

Judges' Bio

Abiola Jimoh

Co-founder and Co-CEO of XchangeBox

Judges' Bio

Dr Shukurat Bello

Associate Professor 

Judges' Bio

Abu Andrew

Founder the young
innovators of Nigeria social organization

Judges' Bio

Hauwa Imam Aliyu

Manager, Mergers and Acquisition, Securities and Investments Services Department, SEC

Judges' Bio

A premier forum for discussing the latest developments in Islamic finance in Africa.It convenes experts to explore opportunities for Islamic finance in infrastructure, economic growth, and financial inclusion.

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Event Location

Eko Hotel And Suites

1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

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Ayeesha Bala Wunti

 Ayeesha Bala Wunti is a distinguished leader at the intersection of green energy, finance, and venture capital, with a career spanning research, investment, and entrepreneurial development. An alumna of the University of Leeds and Imperial College London, she began as a research scientist exploring alternative biofuels before transitioning into finance.

 She has since worked with leading firms including VU Venture Partners, Still Earth Capital Finance, and SMOK Ventures, where she built expertise in identifying and scaling promising ventures. As the founding partner of Pennington Promise capital, Ayeesha is redefining Africa’s startup landscape through growth funding and venture building support.

Deeply committed to advancing opportunities for women in underserved regions, particularly Northern Nigeria, she champions diversity, education, and empowerment as drivers of strong communities. Her journey reflects the synergy of academic rigor, financial acumen, and social impact, making her a powerful advocate for innovation and inclusive growth.

Usman Abdullahi Badamasi

Usman Abdullahi Badamasi is a seasoned technology leader, entrepreneur, and digital transformation strategist with over 17 years of experience driving innovation across Nigeria’s public and private sectors. He currently serves as Head of the Software Development Initiatives Branch at NITDA, where he leads national-scale digital initiatives, including GovTech platforms, e-invoicing integration, and digital public infrastructure projects. Usman has co-founded and spearheaded multiple SaaS solutions in fintech, GovTech, and enterprise systems, such as Wali, Salarinka, ByteArchive, and uVerify. Recognised for his visionary leadership and process-driven approach, he combines deep technical expertise in modern software engineering with strategic policy engagement, bridging the gap between technology and governance. Passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and nation-building, he continues to shape Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and empower organisations through cutting-edge solutions.

Abiola Jimoh

Abiola JIMOH, Co-founder and Co-CEO of XchangeBox, a licensed Payment Service Provider, and Co-founder of PAYREP Microfinance Bank Ltd. Trained as a lawyer from Obafemi Awolowo University and the Nigerian Law School and holds a Masters in Public Policy from the African University of Science and Technology. Abiola holds professional certifications as a Microfinance Expert and a Digital Financial Expert and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration in Nigeria.

He began his career with top-tier law firms, Paul Usoro & Co and Odujinrin & Adefulu, He served as in-house counsel at Teasy Mobile Money and was Special Assistant on Projects to the CEO of Digital Bridge Institute, a subsidiary of the NCC before pivoting into the payments agro commodities value chain.
His expertise spans business growth, strategic partnerships, and navigating regulatory landscapes. Beyond his roles at XchangeBox and PayREP MFB, he serves on the boards and advisory councils of companies such as Unlimint, Falgates Foods – FalRice, and PennPromise Ventures. He is also an institutional mentor for startups through Startupbootcamp, HiiL Justice Accelerator, and LocStat and the University of Lagos’ Innovation2Market Project. He is a member of the Governing Council of Fintech Association of Nigeria. He has won numerous grants, raised debts financing and also raised funds across multiple platforms in his founding journey.

Shukurat Bello

Dr. Bello is an Associate Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Nigeria, with over 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and community service. She is a Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE) and Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor (CSAA), with deep expertise in non-interest financial systems and entrepreneurship. Dr. Bello teaches Islamic Capital Markets at the International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIIBF), BUK, and serves on the Advisory Committee of Experts (ACE) for non-interest financial institutions. She manages the BoI-BUK Innovation Hub, driving startup growth through incubation and acceleration programs, and leads Shafana Innovate Hub, a platform dedicated to nurturing innovation and impact-driven entrepreneurship. As a Sabbatical Fellow at Opolo Global Innovation, she served as Divisional Head of Programs and Ecosystem, supporting high-growth startups and innovation initiatives. Dr. Bello is a Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Entrepreneurship of Nigeria, championing ethical and sustainable enterprise development.

Abu Andrew

Andrew Abu is a seasoned technology policy entrepreneur with over 12 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of IT and business. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, an Executive Degree in Electronic Health from McMaster University, Canada, and multiple executive certifications in technology entrepreneurship and innovation management from prestigious institutions across Africa. As a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and a Chartered Member of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Andrew has consistently demonstrated leadership in shaping Nigeria’s digital landscape.

In 2014, Andrew founded the Young Innovators of Nigeria, a civil society organization focused on empowering youth through digital skills training. Through strategic partnerships with federal and state governments, the initiative has equipped over 2,000 young Nigerians to thrive in the digital economy. His work emphasizes mobile technology, emerging innovations, and bridging the entrepreneurial gap among Nigerian youth. He also co-founded Imperium Industries, a defense technology manufacturing firm in Kaduna with over 500 skilled employees, further showcasing his commitment to national development through tech-driven enterprise.

Andrew currently serves as Executive Consultant at Central Soft Support Services, an ICT consulting and software development firm based in Abuja. He has authored several papers addressing Nigeria’s digital skills gap and spearheaded the Connect to Change initiative, which generated over 5,000 jobs. His contributions to IT policy development and the innovation ecosystem have earned him numerous local and international accolades, solidifying his role as a key figure in Nigeria’s ICT sector

Hauwa Imam Aliyu

Hauwa Imam Aliyu, an alumna of the IFC-Milken Institute Capital Markets Program, works in the Securities & Investments Services Department of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, where she oversees mergers, takeovers, and business combinations involving public companies. She previously served as Senior Risk Officer in the Office of the Chief Economist and as Senior Financial Analyst in the Financial Services and Corporate Governance Department of SEC. Before joining the SEC in 2011, she built her career at GTBank Plc, leading teams in relationship management and credit preparation for public and commercial sector clients, rising to Senior Banking Officer. Hauwa is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) and holds an MSc in Financial Management from Heriot-Watt University, an MBA, and a BSc in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Dr. Emomotimi Agama

Dr. Emomotimi Agama is the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria’s apex regulatory institution for the capital market. A distinguished economist, financial analyst, and management accountant, Dr. Agama brings over three decades of professional experience, including extensive expertise in capital market development, financial regulation, economic strategy, and institutional leadership.

Prior to his appointment as Director-General in April 2024, Dr. Agama served as Managing Director of the Nigeria Capital Market Institute (NCMI), where he led transformative educational programs that shaped regulatory capacity in Nigeria and across Africa. He has held several pivotal roles within the SEC, including Head of Market Infrastructure & Innovation, and has contributed significantly to capital market reforms, policy innovation, and the deepening of financial markets.

Dr. Agama holds a PhD in Economics from Nile University of Nigeria, a Graduate Certificate in Capital Markets from George Washington University (USA), and dual M.Sc. degrees in Economics and Banking & Finance from the University of Benin. He is also a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA, UK), and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS).

He is the Chair of several high-level committees, including the SEC Disciplinary Committee, the Market Outlook Committee, and the Securities Settlement Working Group with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He has also served as a member of the Global Green Finance Leadership Program and has presented at leading international platforms on green finance, capital markets, and inclusive regulation.

Under his leadership, the SEC is driving a bold agenda focused on digital transformation, youth inclusion, investor protection, and innovation-driven market expansion. Dr. Agama’s vision is rooted in the belief that a well-regulated, inclusive, and transparent capital market is key to Nigeria’s sustainable development and long-term economic security.

He is passionate about empowering youth through financial literacy, ethical leadership, and access to investment opportunities, and continues to champion financial integrity, institutional excellence, and global collaboration in regulation.

Basheer Oshodi PhD  

Basheer Oshodi PhD has over 24 years’ work experience in banking, real estate, and academia. He is the Chief Executive of TrustArthur – a fund management company; advisor of a UK Shariah-compliant Real Estate Fund; was Group Head, Non-Interest Banking at Sterling Bank, and set up the non-interest banking window in 2013.  He also set forth the Alternative Bank proposition. He was a member of the Non-Interest Finance Working Group, sponsored by EFInA (DFID programme), and was a member of the SEC Alternative Finance Market Master Plan Committee. Basheer was Head, Non-Interest Finance and Head, Research at EFInA. He was Head, Islamic Banking Risk & Compliance at Stanbic IBTC Bank (a member of Standard Bank Group) and set up the non-interest banking window in 2009. He also initiated products compliant with non-interest finance principles for Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd. He has worked as an investment analyst and business analyst in other capacities. He has attended Said Business School – University of Oxford, University of Pennsylvania, University of Colombia, University of Lagos, London Metropolitan University, University of Buckingham, and Da Vinci Institute – South Africa. 

Basheer is currently the President of the Non-Interest Financial Institutions Association of Nigeria (NIFIAN).