Amman Muhammad
We are honoured to have been named the Best Islamic Banking Window 2026 at the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA), marking our tenth consecutive win at one of the most respected awards programmes in the global Islamic finance industry.
This is a proud milestone for FNB Islamic Banking and a meaningful moment for a team that has spent more than two decades building a trusted Islamic banking franchise in South Africa. It reflects the dedication of our people, the careful construct of our structures and the continued confidence that our customers place in us.
Recognition of this nature is not something we take lightly. In Islamic banking, credibility is earned over time through consistency, discipline and a sustained commitment to the principles that define the industry.
For us, this tenth consecutive GIFA award is not only recognition of what has been achieved. It is also affirmation of the approach that has guided our journey since FNB Islamic Banking was launched in 2004.
Islamic banking is often described as a faith-based offering. While faith-based principles are fundamental to its design, it is also a structured system of finance built on ethical conduct, transparency, certainty of contract and a clear link to real economic activity.
These principles continue to resonate with customers who value clarity, accountability and confidence in their financial relationships. This is why governance has always been central to our approach.
Core compliance is not simply a feature of a product. It must be supported by strong governance structures, independent oversight, disciplined product development and a robust control environment. Customers must have confidence that the solutions they use are not only commercially relevant but also aligned to the values that underpin Islamic finance. Islamic banking at FNB offers a credible alternate to conventional banking and is open to all irrespective of race or religion.
Over the past 22 years, FNB Islamic Banking has evolved into a comprehensive and competent banking proposition across transactional banking, lending, investments and insurance. This growth has been underpinned by investment in expertise and solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of our customers while remaining true to the foundations of Islamic finance.
The significance of a decade of global recognition lies not only in the award itself, but in what it represents. It reflects the strength of what has been built over time, the confidence our customers continue to place in us, and the commitment of teams who remain focused on delivering solutions that are both relevant and responsible.
This milestone also comes at an important point in our journeyAs demand for Islamic financial services and banking continues to develop across parts of Africa, we are increasingly focused on how we extend our reach beyond South Africa in a responsible and sustainable manner.
The opportunity for Islamic finance on the continent is significant, but it must be approached with the same discipline that has underpinned our success to date.
Expansion in Islamic banking cannot be reduced to entering new markets or replicating products. Every market presents its own regulatory environment, customer needs and operating realities. Sustainable growth requires specialist expertise, sound operating models and the ability to adapt responsibly to local conditions.
For this reason, we believe the next phase of growth in Islamic financial services will be shaped not only by increasing demand, but by the ability of institutions to deliver sustainable value to customers over the long term. The same principles that have enabled FNB Islamic Banking to achieve a decade of global recognition will continue to guide our broader growth ambitions.
South Africa remains an important market for Islamic financial services and a priority for our business. At the same time, the country’s experience, regulatory maturity and institutional strength provide a solid base from which to contribute to the continued development of Islamic financial services across the continent.
Our focus is therefore twofold: to continue strengthening the South African franchise while developing the building blocks required to support growth in other markets.
These priorities are connected. The credibility we have earned over many years locally enables us to think more broadly about our contribution to Islamic finance across Africa. In this context, the tenth consecutive GIFA award is both a moment of pride and a reminder of responsibility.
It recognises the journey we have travelled and reinforces the standards we must continue to uphold. It affirms that the discipline that has helped us build a trusted franchise over more than two decades must also guide how we grow in the years ahead.
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain grateful to our customers, our teams, our partners and our broader community. Their support has been central to this journey.
A decade of global recognition is something we are immensely proud of.
More importantly, it reinforces a belief that has guided us from the beginning: in Islamic banking, sustainable growth is built through discipline, governed by principle and sustained by trust.
Amman Muhammad, CEO, FNB Islamic Banking.
