With multiple managers, StanChart’s Signature CIO Shariah fund goes for global rollout

The Shariah compliant multi-asset fund launched on the 6^th October 2025 by Standard Chartered (StanChart) in the UAE and Nigeria, marks the start of its broader international rollout, UAE Islamic Banking Head Ali Allawala told IFN Investor.

The fund will be rolled out progressively across Malaysia, Bahrain and Kenya – reflecting wider investor interest in diversified Islamic investment solutions in emerging and frontier markets. It is a Shariah version within StanChart’s Signature CIO Fund umbrella launched three years ago.

“Investors are increasingly looking for solutions that align with Shariah principles while maintaining global diversification. The objective is to offer exposure to multiple asset classes within a single, well-structured framework.”

The fund adopts a multi-manager structure, where boutique firm Lazard Asset Management – handling approximately US$248 billion in AuM – oversees the global equity allocation, while Aditum Investment Management serves as the overall fund manager and manages the global Sukuk portfolio.

“Overall, it’s not just that the portfolio is interesting due to its mix of asset classes, but also because the investment expertise comes from StanChart CIO, Lazard and Aditum. That makes it quite unique and a major differentiator.”

The Signature CIO Islamic Fund features two portfolios – growth and income – designed to meet different risk and return objectives. Both portfolios follow a global, top-down asset allocation strategy set by the chief investment office (CIO) – covering equities, Sukuk, gold and cash.

Allawala explained the fund’s philosophy emphasizes balance and resilience. “Each asset class has its role. Equities provide growth, Sukuk to offer stability, gold serves as a hedge and cash ensures liquidity.”

The Sukuk allocation focuses on investment-grade sovereign, quasi-sovereign and corporate issuances, while the equity component targets Shariah compliant companies in sectors such as technology, healthcare and consumer services with long-term growth potential.

“The aim is to combine these elements into a portfolio that performs across market cycles.”

On offering this Shariah fund in still-developing capital markets – with varying levels of economic growth, infrastructure and investor awareness, Allawala said while Nigeria and Kenya are less mature markets compared to the UAE or Malaysia, they still have clients seeking Shariah or ethical investments.

“So when we introduce a more sophisticated product and educate clients that it’s a balanced portfolio giving exposure to global markets, which wasn’t previously accessible, it certainly raises the bar in those jurisdictions.”