Key Stakeholders to Gather at Global Ethical Finance Forum 2015

Key stakeholders from the various areas of the ethical finance industry will gather at the much-awaited Global Ethical Finance Forum (GEFF) in early September.

The forum will host representatives from Environmental, social and governance (ESG), Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and faith-based financing. Participating organizations from Africa include the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ecobank, Bank of Ghana, Stanbic Bank and Royal Bank Ghana, among others.

Organized by ME Global Advisors, a leading intelligence platform serving the ethical finance industry for 22 years, GEFF 2015 will serve as a key platform to discuss untapped opportunities for convergence and collaboration within the $59 trillion responsible investments industry.

The Forum is officially hosted by the Scottish Government and in conjunction with Thomson Reuters, UK Sustainable and Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), Alliance Trust UK, DDCAP, SEDCO Capital, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Luxembourg for Finance and other partners.

One of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People (2011), His Royal Highness Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, who led a an anti-corruption campaign as Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, will speak on his experience as the banking chief of Africa’s largest economy in Africa.

He is quoted as saying: "It is now evident in the aftermath of the financial crisis that the importance of values cannot be overlooked in the financial system. The major stakeholders especially the regulators are expected to play a key role in making sure that the financial institutions not only abide by law but remain ethical in their practices and work towards the betterment of society in addition to achieving their financial goals. The global ethical finance forum will address these issues and I look forward to sharing my experiences at the forum."

The Emir of Kano possesses a profile that is truly unique in the financial world. A banker by training who secured Nigeria's top banking post, he would prove to the world that some of the most important lessons in banking reform can indeed come from West Africa.

During his 5-year tenure as Governor of the Central Bank, he spearheaded sweeping reforms resulting in the cleanup of a banking industry where corruption was the norm.

In 2009, he tackled widespread fraud in the financial sector with the aim of saving 24 banks on the brink of collapse.

HRH Sanusi’s participation is also significant in light of the successful issuance of the Nigeria’s first Sukuk by Osun state in 2013 and the guidelines produced by an Islamic finance advisory body under his leadership.

GEFF 2015 will feature thought provoking discussions on how to bring about more financial inclusion by utilizing financial technology such as microfinance, mobile money, crowd funding and also Sukuk as an instrument to finance infrastructure and reduce budget deficits.

The African continent has witnessed tremendous growth in these areas especially in impact investing and mobile money.

Hence, the forum is seen as a perfect opportunity for African delegates to share experiences with the global responsible finance industry and engage with key policy makers, regulators, and stakeholders on how to promote non-interest banking in the continent.

GEFF will take place on the 1st and 2nd of September at the historic Balmoral Hotel in downtown Edinburgh, one of Europe’s cultural & literary capitals.