As the world’s leading resource on Islamic funds, the IFN Investor Funds Database recorded 2,574 public Islamic funds managed by 493 asset management firms, with a combined total of US$675.27 billion in AuM as at the 13th October 2025.
On a sectorial analysis, Islamic ESG funds tracked by the IFN Investor Funds Database saw a 10.65% expansion in Q2 2025, pushing total AuM to US$1.09 billion across 41 funds, up from US$985.19 million in the first quarter.
Deals and offerings
Standard Chartered launched its Shariah compliant multi-asset fund in the UAE and Nigeria on October 6ᵗʰ, 2025, signaling the start of a broader international rollout. The Signature CIO Fund, to be progressively introduced across Malaysia, Bahrain and Kenya, reflects wider investor interest in diversified Islamic investment solutions in emerging and frontier markets.
The 27four Global Shari’ah Equity Actively Managed ETF, which aims to achieve capital growth with a reasonable level of income through investments in the global equity market, was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on October 8ᵗʰ, 2025.
Asset management firm Wegagen Capital plans to introduce new portfolio management services, including Shariah compliant and ESG-focused investment options. This initiative, unveiled in the company’s first annual performance report, targets high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients as Ethiopia’s securities exchange develops.
Eastspring Investments Indonesia launched the Eastspring Sharia Income Global Mixed Asset USD Fund. The fund combines exposure to international equities of up to 60% with fixed income instruments, including local Sukuk, to balance growth and yield stability.
Arcapita Group launched Lintara Properties as its new, dedicated real estate asset manager, developer and investment adviser for all its existing and future GCC industrial real estate funds. Lintara will operate in key regional markets, managing Arcapita’s current industrial real estate portfolio, valued at over US$1 billion.
Alternative asset manager Blackstone and Abu Dhabi-based firm Lunate partnered to establish the Gulf Logistics Infrastructure Development Enterprise, a platform aiming to invest US$5 billion in logistics assets across the GCC.
Modest fashion brand Touche Prive secured a US$5 million Shariah compliant credit investment from Amplify Growth Partnership. The financing will be used to widen the brand’s presence in the GCC, including plans to establish flagship stores in Saudi Arabia in partnership with a local retail group.
The Janus Henderson MENA Private Credit Fund IV, a targeted US$300 million Shariah compliant direct lending vehicle, reached its first close on September 19ᵗʰ, 2025, securing US$125.5 million in investor capital commitments. Backed by key regional investors, the fund aims to address an estimated US$250 billion financing gap for underserved SMEs in the region.
Fintech
Zurich-based Smart Wealth Asset Management is banking on AI to deliver annualized returns of between 15% and 17% for its new UCITS compliant and Shariah compatible product focused on global blue-chip equities. The SW Global Equity Plus AI Fund, launched in July 2025, has its entire investment process – from forecasting and asset selection to tactical allocation and risk management – handled by an AI model.
Financial services company and superapp Fasset secured approval in Malaysia to provide banking services, allowing it to offer full-service digital banking within a regulated sandbox. The approval enables the stablecoin-powered Islamic digital bank to operate in Malaysia, expanding its current offering of investment products in the US.
Market prospects
Al Meezan Investment Management is bullish on its growth prospects as Pakistan’s largest Shariah compliant asset manager, given that just 1.5 million bank account holders from over 91 million have registered with various fund managers in the country as of June 2024.
Malaysia announced initiatives to incentivize resident companies investing abroad and to repatriate the funds with tax exemptions up to 2030, while its Single Family Office Incentive Scheme secured six approvals since its September 2024 launch in the Forest City special zone.
Malaysia’s Islamic fund management segment continues its expansion, recording an AuM of RM261.25 billion (US$61.88 billion) as of July 2025, accounting for 24% of the nation’s total AuM. Furthermore, the net asset value of the country’s Islamic SRI funds grew, exceeding RM15 billion (US$3.55 billion) by end-August 2025, an increase from RM14.44 billion (US$3.42 billion) at the end of 2024.
The Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia and Pergas Investment Holdings formalized a collaboration agreement in Singapore. The partnership focuses on jointly developing and delivering a program dedicated to the commercialization of Waqf assets.
The Bursa Carbon Exchange, a Shariah compliant exchange wholly owned by Bursa Malaysia, signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with the Natural Resources and Environment Board. The two-year collaboration will focus on jointly exploring the development of the Sarawak Carbon Registry, including reviewing its objectives and developing a structured implementation plan.
Moves Faysal Asset Management reappointed Nadir Rahman as the company’s CEO. Additionally, Yousaf Hussain was reappointed as chairman of the board of directors for a three-year term, effective October 3ʳᵈ, 2025.
