AlHuda CIBE Highlights Islamic Microfinance Growth in Central Asia

Empowering Communities and Promoting Ethical Finance for Sustainable Development in the CIS Region

(July 07, 2025 Dubai – UAE): AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE), a global leader in Islamic finance development, proudly highlights the growing momentum of Islamic microfinance across Central Asia. With over 20 years of dedicated service in the CIS region, AlHuda CIBE continues to empower underserved communities, support policy development, and enhance institutional capacities for inclusive and ethical financial growth.

Rooted in Sharia principles—such as the prohibition of interest (riba), promotion of risk-sharing, and social justice—Islamic microfinance has become a transformative tool for poverty alleviation and entrepreneurship. It provides ethically grounded financial services to low-income households and small businesses who are traditionally excluded from conventional banking.

As of 2024, the Islamic microfinance market in Central Asia has grown to an estimated USD 200 million, with a client base comprising micro-entrepreneurs, farmers, and small enterprises. The broader Islamic finance sector in the region, excluding multilateral funding, has now surpassed USD 500 million. These figures underscore the sector’s growing relevance and potential in countries with significant Muslim populations like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan.

Islamic microfinance in Central Asia is more than a financial model—it is a vehicle for social justice, empowerment, and sustainable development,” said Muhammad Zubair, CEO of AlHuda CIBE. “Our mission at AlHuda CIBE is to facilitate the adoption of ethical finance and ensure that no community is left behind in the pursuit of prosperity. We are proud to have worked at both government and grassroots levels, offering technical assistance, product development, and capacity building that have directly contributed to the sector advancement”.

The growth of Islamic microfinance in Central Asia is driven by supportive government regulations, significant funding and technical assistance from multilateral institutions like the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)—which has disbursed over USD 9.1 billion to CIS countries by 2023—as well as contributions from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, and ICD. Additionally, the rise of fintech innovations such as peer-to-peer lending, mobile banking, and Sharia-compliant Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) models, particularly in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, is accelerating financial inclusion across the region.

Notably, Islamic financial institutions such as Zaman Bank, ADCB Islamic Bank, Al Saqr Finance, Al Safi Bank (Kazakhstan), M-Bulak, Bai-Tushum Bank, Kompanion Bank, AK Karzi, Bereke Finans (Kyrgyzstan), and Microcredit Deposit Organization Humo and Iman (Tajikistan) have been pioneering inclusive Islamic microfinance across the region.

Technological advancements are revolutionizing Islamic microfinance in Central Asia, with fintech solutions such as mobile financing, digital onboarding, and peer-to-peer platforms significantly enhancing outreach and operational efficiency. Additionally, the rise of micro-Takaful (Islamic insurance) is providing essential risk protection for underserved populations, further supporting financial resilience and inclusion. This growing ecosystem is also attracting European investors, who view Islamic microfinance in the region as a promising and socially responsible investment opportunity amid low-interest rate environments.

Despite the positive outlook, several barriers continue to hinder the growth of Islamic microfinance in Central Asia. These include limited funding availability, inadequate public awareness of Islamic financial principles, weak IT infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled professionals in Shariah-compliant auditing and accounting. AlHuda CIBE is proactively bridging these gaps by offering tailored training programs, Shariah advisory, product development, and technical consultancy services in collaboration with international partners to strengthen the sector's capacity and sustainability.

About Alhuda CIBE:
AlHuda Center of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) is a well-recognized name in Islamic banking and finance industry for research and provides state-of-the-art Advisory Consultancy and Education through various well-recognized modes viz. Islamic Financial Product Development, Shariah Advisory, Training Workshops, and Islamic Microfinance and Takaful Consultancies etc. side by side through our distinguished, generally acceptable and known Publications in Islamic Banking and Finance.

We are dedicated to serving the community as a unique institution, advisory and capacity building for the last twelve years. The prime goal has always been to remain stick to the commitments providing Services not only in UAE/Pakistan but all over the world. We have so far served in more than 104 Countries for the development of Islamic Banking and Finance industry. For further Details about AlHuda CIBE, please visit: https://www.alhudacibe.com/

For Media Contact:
Ms. Shaguftta Perveen
Manager Communications,
info@alhudacibe.com
Call: +971 52 865 5523