AFRIEF AND ICEN (LAGOS BRANCH) LAUNCH JOINT COLLABORATION IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

The Africa Islamic Economic Foundation (AFRIEF), an independent Islamic economic development organization and the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (Lagos Branch), a chartered institution committed to the raising of professional economists in Nigeria have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with a general objective to have an association to foster the development of  Islamic economics, capacity building in Islamic finance and entrepreneurship in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The partnership also envisages a joint collaboration to support the Lagos State Government to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The partnership is a culmination of several exploratory engagements between AFRIEF and the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (Lagos Branch) on how to synergize their respective strengths, expertise, and resources to foster sustainable development in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Combining expertise in international investment facilitation, improving the quality of life and opportunities for citizens, or responding to the needs of Global changes, project planning and operations with a sophisticated knowledge of implementation strategies, the two organizations have also agreed to jointly launch a wide range of projects in areas involving trade and investment facilitation, public policy, economic and competitive intelligence, project and financial feasibility, market research, and economic development in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr. Baba Yunus Muhammad Comments:

Mr. Baba Yunus Muhammad, President of Africa Islamic Economic Foundation (AFRIEF) has this to say: “this collaboration marks an exciting chapter for AFRIEF as it will inject its international experience, network and strength into the service portfolios and capabilities of ICEN (Lagos branch) to deliver training and consulting services in the Islamic economy, international trade and project development, institutional, technology and human development; and to support the Lagos State Government, public and private sector organizations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to accelerate the economic development and growth of Nigeria. We believe the two organizations have complementary capabilities and we are very excited at the power of combining these to create a full-service portfolio leveraging a larger pool of international and local talents and expertise. No doubt, this relationship will create strong synergies in both project and talent development, and it will help to accelerate AFRIEF’s mission of shifting the prevailing paradigm of economic development in Africa – and of the economy as a whole – towards a new system that is ethical, place-based, inclusive, collaborative and ecologically sustainable”.

 Dr Yusuf Sopeyin Comments:

Dr Yusuf Sopeyin, Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (Lagos Branch) has this to say: “This partnership with AFRIEF is in line with our mission as professional economists to form strategic partnerships with effective economic stakeholders particularly already thriving organizations such as AFRIEF, having the real interest of Africa and Africans at heart and a focus on complementing  the efforts of the Lagos State Government on effective public policy solutions that can drive an all-inclusive real economic growth through collaborative private sector participation towards sustainable growth and development in Nigeria. Also to help identify critical socio-economic and infrastructure challenges and address these challenges effectively through informed leadership, experience and creativity of the international investment and finance community. This partnership with AFRIEF therefore provides us with the rare opportunity to combine our collective experience and expertise, connection and network to propel Nigeria’s rapid economic and social development.

 About the Africa Islamic Economic Foundation (AFRIEF)

The Africa Islamic Economic Foundation (AFRIEF) is an independent Islamic development organization that provides a distinctive Islamic perspectives on economic and social issues. Registered and incorporated in the Republic of Ghana as a non-profit organization, the work of AFRIEF encompasses a range of advisory, research, policy development and field-building activities on themes around the Islamic economy and the capital markets to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Africa.  It sets the benchmark on public policy and economic development by drawing together the most innovative thinking available from some of the world’s foremost experts and applying that thinking to the challenges facing Africa.

About Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (Lagos Branch)

The Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (I.C.E.N) was established out of burning desire to promote and encourage the study and development of the art and science of economics in public practice, industries, commerce etc and to inculcate professionalism and specialization in the economics profession in Nigeria. The Institute is mandated by the Act establishing it to regulate the activities of all the different aspects of Economics such as Monetary Economics, Industrial Economics, Business Economics, Educational and welfare economics, Economics of International relations, Agricultural Economics, Petroleum Economics, etc.

Courtesy:

AFRIEF MEDIA UNIT

Tamale, Ghana.