Growing use of Islamic finance places greater importance on the ability of corporates to access hedging solutions that are complaint with Shariah principles.

Asia’s rapidly changing corporate sector is becoming increasingly advanced in how it runs its treasury operations.

Asia is home to an expanding corporate base that is becoming ever more sophisticated in how it runs its treasury function.

The CEO of OCBC wants to show the Asian market that the bank is a force to be reckoned with outside Singapore, across all areas of financial services. A big acquisition in Hong Kong has made the market sit up and take notice.

Best bank in Africa Standard Bank Best investment bank in Africa Citi Best equity house in Africa Citi Best debt house in Africa Barclays Best M&A house in Africa Rand Merchant Bank Best risk adviser in Africa Standard Bank Best flow house in Africa Access Bank Best transaction services house in Africa Standard Chartered Country Awards for Excellence 2015: Africa Awards for Excellence 2015: Results index

Africa’s rich resources, natural and human, are luring capital, but investors will need to move fast.

It is not without its challenges, but the economy is improving – steadily if unspectacularly.

Best bank in the Middle East QNB Best investment bank in the Middle East HSBC Best debt house in the Middle East HSBC Best equity house in the Middle East HSBC Best transaction services house in the Middle East HSBC Best M&A house in the Middle East Citi Best flow house in the Middle East Standard Chartered Best risk adviser in the Middle East Standard Chartered Country Awards for Excellence 2015: Middle East Awards for Excellence Middle East press release Photos from the 2015 Middle East awards ceremony

Further reading

SR2 billion sukuk programme

RM1 billion sukuk

The immunization sukuk $500 million

£200 million sukuk

Private equity listings

$2.6 bilion IPP

$2.7 billion restructuring

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Lulu Hypermarket

$500 million perpetual sukuk

The growth and globalization of Islamic finance over the past decade has been a rare success story for the financial industry. Here, Euromoney examines the challenges the sector faces to rise to the next level. Throughout the section, we highlight the banks, advisers, issuers and companies that are moving the industry forward, in Euromoney’s inaugural Innovation in Islamic finance awards.

With expanding economies and hundreds of million Muslims, Africa deserves to be a bigger part of Islamic finance. After a slow start, there are signs the sector is beginning to gain the crucial mass and legislative backing it needs.

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International banks used to dominate Islamic finance. But their desire to innovate risked the market straying from its principles. Local and specialist firms have benefited from their withdrawal. But can they take Shariah-compliant finance to the next level without repeating the mistakes of the past?

$1.5 billion 10-year sukuk

As liquidity improves and conventional buyers become more familiar with it, the premium for issuing in an Islamic format is shrinking. Emerging market issuers may still hold the most promise for the future

As Islamic banking ponders its next stage of development, it would be wise to consider the appeal of ethical investing.

With expanding economies and hundreds of million Muslims, Africa deserves to be a bigger part of Islamic finance. After a slow start, there are signs the sector is beginning to gain the crucial mass and legislative backing it needs.

Iraq is asking UK investors to help finance its war against Islamic State. Are pension funds equipped to mix politics with prudence?

A host of new technology and new business models are aiming to transform the financial system. Many will fall by the wayside. But among them are potential winners that could be the Goldman Sachs or Nasdaq of the 21st century. Euromoney looks at the smart people and smart firms attempting to reshape finance.

London is strutting its stuff as a world centre for fintech innovation to rival Silicon Valley and New York. The first-stage disruptors, challengers and innovators are now established and growing. Government and regulators want to build a better financial system and see technology as the key.