Halal Business Workshop seeks to drive growth in East Africa

Jamia Mosque Nairobi on Tuesday hosted a high-profile Halal Business Development and Export Readiness Workshop, bringing together diplomats, scholars, and entrepreneurs to strengthen the halal industry across East Africa.

Themed “Halal Science, Innovation and Industry,” the workshop drew a strong diplomatic presence, including Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle; Thailand’s Ambassador to Kenya Ms. Morakot Janemathukorn; Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Kenya Ruzaimi Mohamad; Dr. Akram Jamil Suleiman, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Iraq; and Amb. Dr. Khalid Mohammed Al Kathiri, Permanent Representative of the League of Arab States to the United Nations Offices in Nairobi.

The event, held at the Jamia Mosque Multi-purpose Hall, was co-organized by the Royal Embassy of Thailand, the Halal Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University, the Embassy of Somalia in Kenya, and Jamia Mosque Nairobi. It convened halal industry experts, entrepreneurs, Islamic scholars, and other key stakeholders.

The workshop focused on disseminating halal knowledge and exploring how halal science can drive sustainable business practices and innovation. Discussions covered academic collaborations, scientific knowledge transfer, and support for regional entrepreneurs to develop halal products that meet international standards.

A delegation from the Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University, led by its founder and advisor Prof. Dr. Winai Dahlan, participated in the sessions alongside Center Director Dr. Pornpimon Mahamad, Deputy Director Dr. Anat Denyingyot, Dr. Najwa Yanya Santivorakul, and Dr. Sarawut Aree, Director of the Muslim Studies Center.

Presentations highlighted the global halal economy, halal and haram principles, the application of halal science and technology, the HAL-Q system, halal blockchain, halal trade routes, and the needs of modern Muslim societies.

In his address, Sheikh Muhammad Osman Warfa, Chairman of Jamia Mosque Committee, thanked the diplomats for their participation, emphasizing that the workshop has the potential to empower Muslim-owned businesses, strengthen economic ties, and align growth with halal values.

Somalia’s Ambassador Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle described the forum as an important platform for promoting halal business practices and advancing sustainable development in East Africa, noting its alignment with the global halal economy projected to hit USD 5.91 trillion by 2033.

Thailand’s Ambassador Ms. Janemathukorn said her country remains committed to fostering halal innovation and expanding trade and economic partnerships with the region.

Prof. Dahlan explained that the workshop was designed as an educational platform to transfer scientific knowledge and innovations to support the growth of the halal sector.

Jamia Mosque leaders in attendance included Deputy Chairman Abdullatif Essajee, Secretary-General AbdulBari Hamid, Deputy Secretary-General Hussein Abdinassir, Treasurer Billow Kerrow, Deputy Treasurer Khider Farouk Adam, Imam Sheikh Jamaludin Osman, and Majlis members Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome, Dr. Ali Muhammad Salim, and Abdulhamid Slatch, among others.