The Association of Zakat and Waqf Operators in Nigeria (AZAWON), alongside other West African Zakat leaders, has completed an international study visit to the Center for Zakat Management (CZM) in Bangladesh. The tour, which was supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), was aimed at strengthening knowledge and practice of modern Zakat and Waqf management in the region.
The delegation was led by Muhammad Lawal Maidoki Sadaukin Sakkwato, Chairman of AZAWON and Deputy Secretary General of the World Zakat and Waqf Forum. Over the course of the programme, participants engaged in lectures, workshops, and field visits designed to provide practical exposure to Bangladesh’s Zakat and Waqf system.
The team visited institutions including Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC and the BRAC Centre, where they observed how Zakat funds are mobilised, managed, and applied to social development initiatives. They were also introduced to digital platforms for Zakat collection and distribution, as well as strategies for revitalising and optimising Waqf assets.
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Bangladesh has been recognised globally for its innovative use of Islamic social finance to support economic growth, poverty reduction, and the empowerment of small and medium-scale enterprises. Through Zakat-funded community projects and Islamic microfinance initiatives, the country has demonstrated the potential of structured and transparent Zakat and Waqf operations in driving national development.
For Nigeria and the wider West African region, the visit is seen as a significant step towards aligning local practices with international standards. AZAWON has expressed its commitment to adapting lessons from Bangladesh to improve efficiency, accountability, and impact in Zakat and Waqf management.
Observers say the collaboration marks an important milestone in strengthening ties between West Africa and Bangladesh in the field of Islamic social finance, with long-term benefits for economic empowerment and poverty alleviation.
