Twenty startups have been shortlisted for the final stage of the African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) Pitch Competition, which will award ₦5 million in grant funding.
Convener Ummahani Amin said the competition attracted over 200 applicants across the continent, with 10 tech-driven and 10 social impact ventures making the cut. Finalists were assessed on scalability, innovation, and compliance with Islamic finance principles.
“These young entrepreneurs are not just pitching businesses; they are presenting the future of Africa,” Amin said at the Abuja event.
SEC Director Abdulkadir Abbas, praised the quality of submissions, saying they reflected “the very essence of ethical entrepreneurship.” Judges included representatives from the SEC, Metropolitan Skills Ltd, and First Trustees.
The startups pitched solutions ranging from halal-tech platforms to ethical crowdfunding. Organisers said the initiative is designed to support job creation and empower enterprises without reliance on exploitative interest rates.
