CFG Africa Hosts Strategic Non-Interest Investment Forum Across Lagos and Abuja
In a significant move to strengthen investor portfolios against anticipated market fluctuations, leading financial services group CFG Africa has elevated the discussion on ethical finance from Lagos's commercial hubs to Abuja's policy corridors. The initiative unfolded through two major events: the 2025 Client Engagement Forum in Lagos and the 2026 Non-Interest Investment Forum in Abuja, both aimed at promoting asset-backed, Shariah-compliant investments as a sophisticated necessity for modern portfolios.
Lagos Forum: Addressing Macroeconomic Reforms and Recession Risks
The conversation commenced at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos, where CFG Africa's forum set the agenda for the upcoming year. Keynote speaker Prof. Bongo Adi from Lagos Business School emphasized the urgent need for a decisive policy shift to counteract the constraints of current interest rates on structural reforms, particularly in employment-intensive sectors like manufacturing. He advocated for a reduction in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to inject stability into Nigeria's equity markets.
An expert panel featuring Adekunle Adeoba (Deputy Managing Director, CFG Africa), Arnold Dublin-Green, Oluwatosin Ojo, and Olatunji Fafemi provided critical insights on global economic trends. They cautioned institutional investors to monitor the US yield curve closely, identifying it as a primary indicator for potential recessionary risks in 2026, thereby underscoring the importance of strategic diversification.
Abuja Dialogue: Unlocking the Potential of Non-Interest Investments
The momentum transitioned to the Nordic Hotel in Abuja, where the focus shifted to specialized ethical financial instruments as a hedge against volatility. A high-profile panel including Ameenah Adebayo-Shittu (Group Head of Compliance, Lotus Bank), Dr. Basheer Oshodi (CEO, TrustArthur), and Zarah Salman (Non-Interest Lead, CFG Africa) dispelled the misconception that ethical investments yield lower returns.
- Global Performance: Adebayo-Shittu highlighted that Shariah-compliant US equity funds achieved returns between 14% and 16% in 2025, outperforming numerous traditional benchmarks.
- Market Demand: Dr. Oshodi pointed to the remarkable 735% oversubscription of a recent 10-year Ijarah Sukuk, signaling robust market appetite and calling for quarterly issuances to enhance liquidity.
- Asset-Backed Discipline: The experts emphasized that non-interest finance promotes fiscal discipline by linking funds to real economic activities, rather than speculative cash trades.
Mechanics of the CFG Ethical Fund: A Detailed Overview
The CFG Ethical Fund is structured as an actively managed, open-ended fund with an offer price of N1,000 per unit. Its asset allocation strategy aims for balanced exposure across Sukuk, fixed income, and ethical equities, prioritizing Sovereign and Sub-Sovereign Sukuk to ensure maximum security. The fund operates within a robust institutional framework involving AVA Trustees as Trustee, Rand Merchant Bank as Custodian, and One17 Capital as Sharia Adviser.
Babajide Lawani, MD/CEO of CFG Africa, reinforced the group's commitment to a safety before profit philosophy during his address to stakeholders. He stated, The non-interest space can drive massive inclusion. By carving out this niche, we enable investors to align their investments with their ethical orientations without sacrificing competitive returns.
As Nigeria projects a 5% economic growth rate for 2026, the consensus from CFG Africa's forums is clear: aggressive diversification into professionally managed, asset-backed ethical funds is evolving from a niche option to an essential component of sophisticated portfolio management. Detailed prospectus and subscription forms for the CFG Ethical Fund are accessible online, marking a pivotal step toward broader financial inclusion and stability in the region.
