IslamicFinance.de

Forbes reported on 15 April about the Moody's study regarding Islamic finance claiming the industry grows at double rate compared to the conventional markets and becomes more international but also remains diverse and heterogene. Interpretation of rules and regulation vary widely, and they perceive a lack of technical and contractual standardisation.

Moody's expects the Sukuk market to become more complex, more structured, larger, more diversified and more liquid as it evolves over time.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/04/15/afx4891802.html

Forbes reported on 26 March about Moody's statement that the actual size of Islamic finance in Africa was only USD 18 bn as of year-end 2007, equating to a market share of less than 8 pct of its potential size. The industry is currently focussed on some regions; more than half its assets are located in Sudan, with Egypt ranking second, but with a much lower share of around one-fifth.
 
Moody's said that the Islamic finance market in Africa is potentially worth close to USD 235 bn. According to Moody's 37 Islamic financial institutions operate in Africa, serving a Muslim population of 412 mn. Average per capita GDP on the continent was a low 1,137 usd in 2007, but given the fact that Africa is host to the second-largest Muslim population in the world, the absolute size of its economic production reached 469 bln usd last year, Moody's said.
 
Source: http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/03/26/afx4814325.html