Category: Finance and Economics

Dr. Ghazi Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi (1940-2010) was a prominent figure in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Arab world. As a minister, diplomat, poet, intellectual, and public figure, he played an important role in the Kingdom’s economic and institutional development across several sectors. His book, A Life in Administration (حياة في الإدارة), documents key chapters of his rich and creative …

1.    Introduction Since 2020, the global economy has been grappling with overlapping crises, reversing gains in poverty alleviation and macroeconomic stability. In particular, the 2022 surge in food and energy prices, triggered by the conflict in Eastern Europe, intensified inflationary pressures worldwide. Despite signs of monetary easing amid heightened policy uncertainty, consumer prices remain elevated …

Senegal is confronting a severe public debt challenge, the most acute in its recent economic history, following a decade characterized by rapid debt accumulation, exceptionally high public investment, and persistently large fiscal deficits. Without decisive and timely corrective measures, Senegal faces heightened rollover and liquidity risks, with potential spillovers across the West African Economic and …

The global economy is entering a new and more uncertain era. After enduring the shocks of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and volatile financial markets, the world now faces risks that extend far beyond the normal business cycle. Geopolitical risk, the possibility that political tensions, conflicts, or diplomatic frictions disrupt economic activity, and geoeconomic fragmentation, …

Introduction  Takāful[1] is presented as a mutual, Sharīʿa-compliant alternative to commercial insurance, legitimized by mid-20th-century scholarly deliberations that endorsed mutual insurance, permissible. The first takāful company, founded in Sudan in 1979[2], introduced a hybrid structure combining mutualist principles with joint-stock frameworks: unlike traditional mutual insurers, where members are both insured and co-owners, takāful companies separate …

A Historic Institution at Crossroads The concept of Waqf—a perpetual charitable endowment under Islamic law—is an established legacy of social justice. ‘Waqf’ originates from the Arabic root Waqafa (to stop or hold), signifying the permanent dedication of property for religious or charitable purposes. Once declared as Waqf, the property becomes inalienable—it cannot be sold, inherited, or gifted. …

Bambang Susantono, Member, Board of Trustees of IsDB Institute Knowledge management enables communities to thrive in dynamic and unpredictable environments, serving as a catalyst for continuous adaptation and growth. However, its full potential is realized only when supported by robust technology, agile workflows, accountable governance, and a collaborative mindset that breaks down silos. To fully …

Translated from an Arabic article titled: نحو حشد موارد مالية متنوعة للتمويل الأصغر The current global and regional economic landscape presents a challenge and heightened risks for small and emerging businesses. These challenges extend to the institutions that finance them, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions to mobilize financial resources—especially amid intense competition from …

This is the concluding segment of a three-part report exploring digital financial inclusion in Egypt. You can find the second part here. Introduction Financial technology (Fintech) denotes the cutting-edge technologies transforming traditional financial services. Fintech involves the automation of financial service delivery, empowering financial service providers, businesses, and consumers to streamline their financial operations through …

This article is the second in a three-part report on digital financial inclusion in Egypt. Read the first part here. Introduction As urbanization accelerates, the income disparity between urban and rural residents has become one of the common issues in the development stages of many countries. Given the centrality of rural residents’ income to this …