REGULATING SUKUK SECURITIES IN ETHIOPIA’s CAPITAL MARKET: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND LESSONS OF THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS

Abstract

Sukuk emerged as an alternative sharia-compliant financial instrument to conventional debt-based instruments. Nowadays, Sukuk is one of the flexible and fastest-growing financial products in the global financial market. In Ethiopia, despite high demand for sharia-compliant products, comprehensive regulatory frameworks for Islamic finance have not yet been developed. Besides, Ethiopia has recently introduced a capital market as an investment opportunity to provide diverse and innovative financial products for all. Following this, there is legal recognition of Sukuk. Despite this, there is no specific law that regulates Sukuk products and the current financial laws also not suitable for Sukuk in Ethiopia. This paper aims to assess the need to develop regulatory framework for Sukuk securities in Ethiopia by analyzing the successful experience of other nations. To this end, the research employed doctrinal research methodology and also comparatively analyzed the best experience of selected nations (Malaysia, Indonesia and Nigeria) to draw lessons for the successful regulation of Sukuk in Ethiopia. It has been observed that, in selected jurisdictions supportive legal and regulatory framework significantly supported the development of Sukuk. Based on the analysis, the researcher proposes legal and regulatory institutional issues. Among others, Ethiopia should modify the existing principal legislations to regulate Sukuk as a financial security, prepare detailed regulations or guidelines for Sukuk, establish a centralized Sharia advisory council and establish an appropriate forum of adjudications for the successful regulation and implementation of Sukuk. Regarding operational strategies, Ethiopia should adopt and implement the simplest and common Sukuk structures through a phased-based approach.