By Lauren Johnston

In recent years, there’s been a huge, rising demand for donkey hides in China, where they are used to make an ancient health-related product called ejiao. Ejiao is made from collagen that’s been extracted from donkey hides mixed with herbs and other ingredients to create medicinal and health consumer products. It’s believed to have properties that strengthen the blood, stop bleeding and improve the quality of both vital fluids and sleep.

Ejiao sells for about US$783 per kilo and the Chinese market for it has increased from about US$3.2 billion in 2013 to about US$7.8 billion in 2020. This recent rise in demand is driven by several factors, including rising incomes, popularization of the product via a television series, and an ageing population (age is a key demographic driving demand). In addition, ejiao is sometimes prescribed by doctors and the cost can newly be covered by health insurance. The demand for ejiao has led to a shortage of donkeys in China and increasingly worldwide. Countries in Africa have been particularly affected.

Africa is home to the highest number of donkeys in the world: about two-thirds of the estimated global population of 53 million donkeys in 2020. Exact figures on how many hides are exported to China aren’t available due to a growing illicit trade, but there are indications. A study of South Africa’s donkey population, for instance, suggests that it went from 210,000 in 1996 to about 146,000 in 2019. This was attributed to the export of donkey hides.

In a recent paper I examined the trends, issues and prospects for the Africa–China donkey trade. My information came from interviews, literature and news reviews in English and Chinese. My findings are that the scale of the donkey trade, both illicit and legal, poses a challenge for many countries in Africa, especially in terms of its impact on the most marginalized communities. Besides donkey welfare, a big part of the challenge is how affordable donkeys are locally. Donkeys have a valuable, ancient role as a workhorse and losing access to them creates a huge problem for poor households. The other part of the challenge is regulatory. Only when the donkey hide trade is fully regulated – and export numbers are able to be very limited – might the trade work without adverse consequences for the poor. Read more>>

Africa Islamic Economic Foundation (AFRIEF) is very pleased to announce a new partnership with Saylor Academy, to provide flexible, affordable learning opportunities for AFRIIEF’s communities and those interested in joining its programs. As part of AFRIIEF’s mission to support human capital development across the African continent, learners will be able to earn certificates in key career skills (such as Decision-Making, Leadership, technology entrepreneurship and others) from Saylor Academy’s catalog of free courses.

AFRIIEF and Saylor Academy both recognize that learners, such as those served by AFRIIEF’s programs, lead increasingly busy and complex lives. They require flexible education options to balance skill development with work and family demands. This partnership allows students to develop skills that are in-demand now for free, and will help them become even more competitive once they enter the marketplace.

“This collaboration marks an exciting chapter for the Africa Islamic Economic Foundation (AFRIEF) as it will leverage on Saylor Academy’s rich experience, Global network and strength to propel Africa’s rapid economic and social development” states Baba Yunus Muhammad, President of AFRIEF. “We believe that the two organizations have complementary capabilities and we are very excited at the opportunity of combining these to create strong synergies in both career and talent development that will not only facilitate, but hasten our movement towards our goal of increased economic and career opportunities for Africans everywhere.”

“The partnership between AFRIEF and Saylor Academy provides access to affordable and flexible learning opportunities to support skill development across the African continent,” says Jeff Davidson, Executive Director of Saylor Academy. “AFRIEF’s human capital development efforts align well with Saylor’s mission of providing access to learners everywhere.” Read more>>

By Baba Yunus Muhammad

Islamic finance today has become a global growth phenomenon that no region or country can afford to ignore. According to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2020/21, an annual industry report produced by Thomson Reuters, the global market for Islamic financial services, as measured by Shariah compliant assets, is estimated to have reached US$2.88 trillion, and projected to reach US$3.69 trillion by 2024. Islamic commercial banks account for the bulk of the assets with investment banks, Sukuk issuances, funds and insurance making up the balance. With over 500,000 Islamic financial institutions operating around the world, Islamic finance is set to become a major global player in the world of finance. The factors that drive the growth of Islamic finance range from increased petrodollar investments from the Gulf, growth in Muslim population and the ethical character and financial stability of Islamic financial products.

Currently, the Middle East and South East Asia and some few African countries, are the primary locations for Islamic capital. In particular, Malaysia, Iran and the majority of countries from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) such as Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar are seen as the main centers of Islamic finance, with significant activity also taking place in the UK and more recently in countries such as Turkey, Sudan, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Jordan and Syria and some Asian countries such as Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangladesh, Pakistan and China.

Islamic finance in Ghana

However, amidst all the talk of bubbling Islamic finance hubs globally, there remains much to be achieved on purely a domestic basis in certain key countries. Ghana is a clear example. With the exception of Nigeria, there is probably, no country in Africa that offers greater potential for the growth of Islamic finance than Ghana! Read more>>

Islamic finance is a financial system that is based on principles of Shariah or Islamic law. It is a rapidly growing industry that is estimated to be worth over $3 trillion globally.

The Islamic finance industry is important in Japan for several reasons. First, Japan has a large and growing Muslim population, which creates a demand for Shariah-compliant financial products and services. Additionally, the Japanese government has recognized the potential for Islamic finance to tap into new markets and has taken steps to promote the growth of the industry in the country. Finally, the Islamic finance industry offers an alternative to traditional financial products and has the potential to attract a wider range of investors.

History of the Islamic Finance Industry in Japan

The Islamic finance industry in Japan has a relatively short history. Early efforts to promote the industry can be traced back to the 1980s when the Japanese government began to explore the possibility of issuing Sukuk (Islamic bonds). However, these efforts did not gain much traction at the time and it was not until the 21st century that the Islamic finance industry in Japan began to take off.

There is a camel in Hanifa Deen’s kitchen. He looks down at her as she cooks, eyes proud yet warm, delicately flared snout-smelling dinner. While the creature is merely an image on a poster, Deen, who has written several books on Islam in Australia, regards him affectionately. “It looks like such a regal creature, such a haughty creature,” she says. That’s why you’ll only find camels decorating the walls of Deen’s kitchen, rather than filling a pot on her stove. “I admit, I can’t bring myself to eat a camel burger,” she says.

For many, disinterest in eating camel may sound natural. But around the world, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and their diasporas, camel meat is dinner. In parts of Morocco, it’s stewed into fragrant tagines on special occasions. In Cairo, diners will pay a premium for the animal’s delicate fat. In Somali neighborhoods of the American Midwest, camel burgers offer immigrant communities, and curious neighbors, a fusion-inspired taste of home.

In contrast, most Australians, who are predominantly European in origin, come from cuisines unused to camel meat. Yet for a large lobby of Australian environmentalists, animal rights activists, and entrepreneurs—not to mention foodies—getting more camel into the Australian diet is not only a gustatory goal: It’s a solution to a major environmental problem.

That’s because Australia is home to the largest feral camel population in the world, with an estimated 300,000 to one million animals. The camels aren’t native to Australia: They were imported in the 19th century to explore the vast deserts of the country’s interior. Left to roam after the advent of motorcars, the population now poses a threat to both delicate ecosystems and local water supplies. In an attempt to address this environmental damage, the Australian government has sponsored aerial camel culls, in which feral camels are shot down by helicopter, their flesh left to rot in the sand. This outrages animal rights activists and many have suggested another way. Why not use feral camels for meat? In Australian neighborhoods home to recent Middle Eastern and African immigrants, after all, halal butcher shops already carry camel meat taken from the Outback, and the Australian camel-meat export industry is growing modestly. READ MORE