Nairobi forum drives growth of East Africa’s Halal industry
The event, themed “Halal Science, Innovation and Industry”, was hosted at Jamia Mosque’s Multi-purpose Hall and brought together a strong diplomatic delegation.
Diplomats, scholars, and entrepreneurs on Tuesday converged at Jamia Mosque in Nairobi for the Halal Business Development and Export Readiness Workshop, a forum aimed at advancing the halal industry and positioning East Africa for greater participation in the global halal economy.
The event, themed “Halal Science, Innovation and Industry”, was hosted at Jamia Mosque’s Multi-purpose Hall and brought together a strong diplomatic delegation.
Among those present were Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle, Thailand’s Ambassador to Kenya Morakot Janemathukorn, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Kenya Ruzaimi Mohamad, Dr. Akram Jamil Suleiman, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Iraq, and Dr. Khalid Mohammed Al Kathiri, Permanent Representative of the League of Arab States to the United Nations Offices in Nairobi.
It 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.
The forum brought together halal industry experts, Islamic scholars, and entrepreneurs to share knowledge and strategies for expanding halal trade in the region.
Discussions focused on halal knowledge dissemination, academic collaborations, scientific knowledge transfer, and how halal science can support regional entrepreneurs in producing goods that meet international standards.
Presentations covered the global halal economy, halal and haram principles, halal science and technology applications, the HAL-Q system, halal blockchain, halal trade routes, and the evolving needs of modern Muslim societies.
A delegation from the Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University, led by founder and advisor Prof. Winai Dahlan, took part 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.
Sheikh Muhammad Osman Warfa, Chairman of Jamia Mosque Committee, expressed gratitude to the diplomatic corps, saying the workshop holds the potential to empower Muslim-owned businesses, foster stronger economic ties, and ensure growth is aligned with halal values.
Somalia’s Ambassador Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle said the forum was an important platform for advancing halal business practices and sustainable development in East Africa.
He noted that it resonates with the global halal economy, which is projected to reach USD 5.91 trillion by 2033.
Thailand’s Ambassador Morakot Janemathukorn affirmed her country’s commitment to promoting halal innovation and broadening trade and economic cooperation with East Africa.
Prof. Dahlan explained that the workshop was designed as an educational avenue for transferring scientific knowledge and innovations to help grow the halal sector in the region.
Jamia Mosque leadership 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.
