Kenya flag

NAIROBI – AN expert has lauded Kenya’s fairly developed infrastructure and communication sector and a young educated tech savvy population as helping position the country as Africa’s financial hub.

Agnes Gitau, the International Trade and Investment adviser with GBS Africa, said these attributes also provides a great opportunity for the region to lead in the Islamic Finance digital economy.

She was speaking ahead of the third edition of the East Africa Islamic Economy Summit set for Nairobi, Kenya in April.

The conference will look at key factors that will impact the development of Islamic Economy in the region and call on all stakeholders to play their role in advancing financial inclusion in East Africa.

“Kenya, renowned not only for its Athletic might but also as the country that pioneered the mobile money technology through MPESA, continues to make efforts towards its vision to become Africa’s financial hub,” Gitau said.

The East African nation would host this year’s East Africa Islamic Economy Summit joined the Islamic Financial Board last year and has indicated plans for a Sukuk Bond to finance both national and regional infrastructure projects.

This year’s programme has had great input from leading experts in the Islamic Economy and will define the Islamic Economy‘s role within the financial sector, the emergence of fintech, opportunities for East Africa in the Islamic digital economy.

According to Ernst &Young, the sector has the potential of 150 million new customers by 2021.

GBS Africa promotes business and investment relations between Africa and the rest of the world.

– CAJ News