Her Excellency Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani—a prominent Dubai-based entrepreneur, global diplomat, and philanthropist widely recognized for her advocacy in women’s empowerment, youth entrepreneurship, and international trade—recently brought her extensive expertise to the East Africa International Investment Conference (EAIIC) in Zanzibar. Organized by the Pink Hijab Initiative Tanzania, the prestigious event celebrated her extensive humanitarian, entrepreneurial, and youth development initiatives spanning both the Gulf and African regions. As the Founder and CEO of multiple international enterprise platforms, including the Woman Business Circle (WBC), Business Gate, and the cross-border investment bridge “I Am Africa,” Ambassador Laila utilized the conference as a strategic vehicle to foster deeper bilateral economic partnerships, unlock cross-border trade opportunities, and drive financial independence for women and youth across the continent.

Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani speaking at the conference

Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani, a 2017 winner of The Voice Achievers Award for her outstanding contributions to fostering culture and business relationships between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Africa, continues to significantly deepen and broaden the entrepreneurial and development ties between the Middle East and the African continent. As the founder and leader of the Woman Business Circle (WBC) , a premier global entrepreneurial platform based in Dubai, UAE, she has structured the organization as a high-impact international incubator explicitly designed to help female founders, small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), and innovative startups scale fluidly across borders.

Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani attended the East Africa International Islamic Finance Conference (EAIIFC 2026), which successfully took place in the stunning archipelago of Zanzibar from July 23 to July 25, 2026. Organized by the Pink Hijab Initiatives Tanzania, this high-level, three-day event brought together over 300 regional and global delegates. The diverse assembly included financial regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, and halal entrepreneurs who gathered to discuss Islamic fintech, sustainable investments, and economic inclusion.

The conference utilized two premium locations to balance its core academic and wellness objectives. The primary summit sessions were hosted at the Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel, serving as the central hub for the event’s professional deliberations. Following the main discussions, the conference concluded with a dedicated Halal Women’s Wellness Retreat, which took place at the beachside Tembo Kiwengwa Resort.

The conference—themed “Islamic Fintech & Innovation in Financial Products for Muslim Women & Youth”—utilized two premium locations to balance its academic and wellness objectives. Panel discussions heavily covered core regional topics, including Islamic banking, Sukuk bonds, Takaful (Islamic insurance), fintech advancements, and ESG/sustainable investments across Africa. The primary summit sessions were hosted at the Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel, which served as the central hub for the event’s professional deliberations, before concluding with a dedicated Halal Women’s Wellness Retreat at the beachside Tembo Kiwengwa Resort.

During the opening ceremony of EAIIFC 2026, Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani had the pleasure and honour to meet H.E. Hon. Shariff A. Shariff, the Minister of Labour and Investment of Zanzibar. She was deeply inspired by the Minister’s powerful, professional, and insightful speech, which offered valuable perspectives on government transformation and sustainable development. Furthermore, his remarks highlighted the immense potential for strengthening economic collaboration between Zanzibar, Africa, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions.

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Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani was deeply encouraged by the Minister’s strong focus on women’s empowerment, youth entrepreneurship, and leadership cultivation as vital drivers for the economic future of Zanzibar and the wider African region. She gained valuable strategic insights from his vision, noting how target-driven cooperation, community empowerment, and robust investment partnerships can serve as catalysts to transform modern economies.

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She expressed her sincere gratitude to Madam Khadija Omar Kayanda, the CEO and Founder of the Pink Hijab Initiative , for organizing this impactful event and creating a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and positive transformation. She noted that bringing together global leaders, innovative entrepreneurs, and regional changemakers made it a true honour to participate in EAIIFC 2026 amidst the beautiful backdrop of Zanzibar.