Nigeria has launched a strategy to promote and grow its halal economy to diversify and tap into the lucrative global halal market. 

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the strategy, calling for disciplined, inclusive, and measurable action for the strategy to deliver jobs and prosperity across the country, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. 

The strategy hints at Nigeria’s readiness to capture a sizeable chunk of the global halal economy and to define the nation’s direction within the market, which is expected to add an estimated $1.5 billion to the nation’s GDP 2027, according to the premier. 

“This document is a declaration of our promise to meet global standards with Nigerian capacity and to convert opportunity into lasting economic value.”  

The halal food exports, developing pharmaceutical and cosmetic value chains would position Nigeria as a halal-friendly tourism destination, and mobilise ethical finance at scale by 2030, he added. 

“The cumulative efforts are projected to unlock over twelve billion dollars in economic value, while strengthening food security, deepening industrial capacity, and creating opportunities for small-and-medium-sized enterprises across our states,” President Tinubu added.

The premier quashed concerns that link halal solely with religious affiliations, adding that halal is no longer defined by faith alone but by trust through systems that emphasize quality, traceability, safety, and ethical production. 

Tinubu said many advanced Western economies had since “recognised the commercial and ethical appeal of the halal economy and have integrated it into their export and quality-assurance systems.”

Developed countries, including the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are currently among leading producers, certifiers, and exporters of halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and financial products, he added. 

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the inauguration of the strategy was a public-private collaboration that has involved extensive interaction with stakeholders.

“We are going to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area to ensure we export our halal-friendly goods to the rest of Africa and beyond to any willing markets; participation is voluntary, “ the minister said. 

The Canadian federal government is investing up to $2.26 million to expand halal beef processing and packaging capacity at a facility in Prince Edward Island, as part of efforts to strengthen domestic meat production and meet growing consumer demand.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced that funding will be provided to Atlantic Beef Products Inc. under the $25 million kosher and halal investment program. This program supports federally regulated beef and veal processors in adopting new technologies to increase efficiency and output.

The investment of $2,256,786 will fund the installation of advanced processing and packaging technologies designed to increase meat yield and expand halal-certified product offerings for Canadian retailers, the department said.

Planned upgrades include equipment to recover more meat and reduce food waste, new packaging systems for retail-ready halal products, and in-line inspection technology to strengthen safety and quality control.

The government stated that the funding aligns with its Buy Canadian policy, which prioritises domestic suppliers in federal procurement and aims to strengthen Canada’s food system. The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over access to halal and kosher foods following a decision by the Quebec government last year to bar such foods from public institutions.

Pakistan’s halal meat exports to China rose sharply in 2025, driven by growing Chinese demand and improved market access, with shipments increasing more than threefold year on year, according to official Chinese customs data.

Data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) shows Pakistan exported halal meat products worth more than $14.32 million between January and November 2025, compared with $4.23 million during the same period in 2024 — a year-on-year increase of 239%.

Industry experts said the growth reflects stronger trade cooperation, rising Chinese demand for high-standard processed meats, and improved compliance with sanitary, phytosanitary and halal certification requirements. Promotional efforts at bilateral trade platforms, including Pakistan–China business-matching events held in Beijing in September 2025 during the Pakistani prime minister’s visit, have also supported exports.

Pakistan first secured GACC approval to export heat-treated meat products to China in 2019, but exports gained traction in 2023–2024 as more exporters obtained the certifications required to clear Chinese customs.

Analysts believe continued policy support and closer industry cooperation could help Pakistan increase its share of China’s growing protein import market, particularly as demand rises for certified halal and value-added meat products.

Malaysia's IslamiCruise, which was being launched as Asia’s first luxury Umrah cruise programme, in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises, is facing scheduling problems. The inaugural January–February 2026 voyage has been rescheduled as organisers revise routes and packages.

The 15-day, fully halal-certified cruise was officially introduced as part of Malaysia’s halal tourism push and recognised as a Visit Malaysia 2026 product. Departing from Port Klang, the one-way journey is designed to take pilgrims to Jeddah via Banda Aceh, Oman and the Maldives, before passengers complete their Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

IslamiCruise International announced on November 19, 2025, that sales had been temporarily suspended due to internal assessments indicating a need to better align sailing schedules with market demand and school holiday periods. The company said it remains in discussions with Aroya Cruises’ owners to finalise a revised and commercially viable launch date.

The cruise vessel can accommodate more than 3,500 passengers and offers four accommodation categories, ranging from standard cabins to suites and villas. Onboard facilities include swimming pools, water slides, sports amenities and halal dining, alongside religious programming and lectures led by Malaysian preacher Ustaz Wadi Anuar and Indonesian scholar Ustaz Abdul Somad.

While the programme is designed primarily for Muslim travellers performing Umrah, non-Muslim passengers are also permitted to join the cruise, with tailored packages that exclude pilgrimage activities.

Organisers estimate the initiative could attract between 6,000 and 8,000 visitors annually once fully operational, supporting Malaysia’s broader ambitions to strengthen its position in the global halal and Islamic tourism market.

A&M Capital Europe’s (AMCE) acquisition of French halal food producer Isla Délice has come under scrutiny after its strategic partner, Alvarez & Marsal, established a cybersecurity subsidiary in Tel Aviv, a development first reported by specialist halal media outlet Al-Kanz.

AMCE announced the takeover of Isla Délice on September 1, 2025, acquiring the company from British private equity firm Perwyn. Days earlier, Alvarez & Marsal registered A&M Cyber Risk Services Ltd in Tel Aviv, positioning the unit within Israel’s cybersecurity ecosystem at a time of heightened regional conflict.

Al-Kanz reported that while AMCE and Alvarez & Marsal are legally separate entities, AMCE publicly describes its relationship with Alvarez & Marsal as a “strategic partnership,” granting the fund access to the consultancy’s operational expertise and global network. The outlet said this link has raised reputational concerns for Isla Délice, France’s largest halal brand, particularly among Muslim consumers sensitive to Israel-linked business activity.

Isla Délice, founded in 1991, has faced recurring rumours over the years regarding alleged ties to Israel, which the company has consistently denied. In a previous statement, the company said it is French-owned and operates independently, with no Israeli ownership or operations.

According to Al-Kanz, the latest development differs from earlier claims because it involves verifiable corporate filings showing the establishment of Alvarez & Marsal’s cybersecurity subsidiary in Tel Aviv on August 27, 2025, prior to the completion of the Isla Délice acquisition. The subsidiary is located near Israel’s defence and military headquarters and focuses on cyber risk management and crisis response services.

AMCE has repeatedly highlighted its association with Alvarez & Marsal in investor materials, describing the relationship as central to its investment model. However, Isla Délice’s recent crisis communications have focused on the absence of a direct capital link between AMCE and Alvarez & Marsal, without addressing the broader strategic partnership outlined by its new owner.

Following Al-Kanz’s reporting, Isla Délice issued a press release and social media video rejecting what it described as “amalgamations” and “rumours.” In an email response to Al-Kanz, Isla Délice Chief Executive Officer Eric Fauchon said AMCE has no ownership or management connection to Alvarez & Marsal, and that communications were issued to protect the company and its employees.

The acquisition of Isla Délice was finalised in December 2025, and the brand has since increased its international visibility through marketing campaigns tied to major sporting events, as part of its broader European expansion strategy.

Pakistan has started exporting halal meat worth $14.5 million to Tajikistan, as both countries look to expand bilateral trade. 

The developments were shared by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Muhammad Saeed Sarwar during a session with a Pakistani media delegation and local business representatives in Dushanbe, Pakistani state media reported. 

The Southeast Asian nation plans to export 143,000 tons of goods worth approximately $14.5 million to Tajikistan, Sarwar added. Halal products are expected to play a pivotal role in expanding bilateral trade, which is expected to reach $300 million in the coming years. 

A preferential trade agreement between the two countries is also on the cards, said Sarwar, emphasizing that trade liberalization would help promote regional economic integration.

The first-ever Tajik Cultural Week was inaugurated in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad recently, reflecting growing people-to-people and cultural ties. 

“Pakistan and Tajikistan share deep commonalities in faith, history, culture, and literature,” Sarwar remarked.

He further noted that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Tajikistan’s independence and establish diplomatic relations. 
 

Indonesia will provide 1.35 million free halal certificates to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in 2026 as part of preparations for the mandatory
halal law coming into effect next October, the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) said on Tuesday.

BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said the directive was issued by President Prabowo Subianto to ensure smaller businesses can comply with halal requirements without added financial burden. 

Hasan added that the government has already allocated 1.14 million free certificates for 2025, while BPJPH has certified 10.9 million products to date. A new decree issued this year also makes food kiosks eligible for assistance, with 25,002 kiosks registered through the Sihalal digital system receiving free certification.

The certification process—whether via self-declaration for MSEs or the regular audit scheme for medium and large businesses—is carried out entirely through the Sihalal information system. Applications submitted through ptsp.halal.go.id are routed to halal inspection institutions (LPH) for auditing by certified halal inspectors before being forwarded to the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa Commission for a ruling. BPJPH then issues the certificate.

The mandatory halal law will require all eligible products in Indonesia to be halal-certified starting October 2026, increasing pressure on small enterprises to complete compliance in time.

The Saudi Halal Center, part of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, has launched a new halal mark track aligned with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, aiming to enhance product credibility and support the long-term sustainability of the Kingdom’s halal sector.

Announcing the initiative in partnership with the public investment fund–owned Halal Product Development Company and THIQAH, the center stated that the new framework integrates Saudi Arabia’s approved halal standards with ESG compliance requirements. A spokesperson for the center stated that the alignment is intended to “increase confidence in halal products and strengthen their competitiveness in regional and international markets.”

The initiative forms part of a wider collaboration between Halal Product Development Company and THIQAH to build a more advanced halal ecosystem. According to the announcement, the partnership will introduce more precise criteria for evaluating products and services, improve beneficiary experience, and help certified establishments meet global quality and sustainability benchmarks.

Authorities said the halal mark track is designed as a strategic project to support operational efficiency, expand export opportunities and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a key hub in the global halal industry. The framework also aims to help both local and international companies align with evolving international standards in halal production and ESG compliance.

The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) was among the donors contributing to a global pledging event in Abu Dhabi that secured $1.9 billion for polio eradication, helping reduce the remaining financing gap in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) strategy to $440 million.

Hosted by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, the forum titled "Investing in Humanity: United to End Polio" was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and brought together senior government officials, global health leaders and philanthropic organisations. IFANCA was recognised by GPEI and the Foundation as a key contributing partner.

“Today’s pledges demonstrate our shared determination to end polio and protect every child from this preventable disease,” said Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chair of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity. “Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we are proud to stand with countries, donors and partners as we work hand-in-hand to achieve it.”

Pledges included $1.2 billion from the Gates Foundation, $450 million from Rotary International, $140 million from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, $100 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies, $154 million from Pakistan, $62 million from Germany, $46 million from the United States, $6 million from Japan, $4 million from IFANCA, and contributions from Luxembourg and other partners.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, called the new support “instrumental” to reaching children in the last two endemic countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan — and stopping variant outbreaks in other regions. Bill Gates said the world is “99.9% of the way there,” but stressed that “the last stretch demands the same determination that got us this far.”

IFANCA President Dr Muhammad Munir Chaudry said the organisation remained committed to the final phase of the effort: “Supporting children and protecting the most vulnerable is central to IFANCA’s mission. The last mile is the hardest, but we stand with our partners across GPEI to finish the job and create a world free of polio.”

The new funding comes as the global eradication programme faces tightening development budgets, with donor cutbacks leading to a projected 30% drop in GPEI financing in 2026. Global health agencies warn that additional support is critical to avoid reversing gains made since 1988, when polio paralyzed more than 1,000 children a day.

The UAE continues to play a central role in eradication efforts. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has committed $525 million to polio initiatives since 2011, while the Emirates Polio Campaign has delivered over 850 million vaccine doses in Pakistan, focusing on hard-to-reach communities.

Despite substantial progress, with global polio cases down over 99% since 1988, wild poliovirus transmission persists in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and variant outbreaks remain active in 18 countries.

The Abu Dhabi forum marks the third major pledging event hosted in the UAE, following summits in 2013 and 2019 that helped mobilise $6.6 billion for the global eradication effort.