Hoot Professionals
Adil A. Babiker
LL.B., D.E.A., D.S.U. | Head of Islamic Finance & Digital Assets Practice
About Adil
With 38 years of cross-border experience, Adil A. Babiker steers the firm's combined Islamic Finance and Digital Assets practice. Formerly General Counsel of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) for nearly 24 years, he played a pivotal role in shaping credit-risk, governance, and compliance frameworks that are now widely emulated across OIC markets.
Adil advises banks, fintechs, and sovereign entities on intricate Sharia-compliant structures, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) design, tokenised commodity platforms, and innovative insurance-backed digital-asset products. His extensive background provides deep insight into the intersection of traditional finance, Islamic principles, and emerging digital technologies.
He currently serves as Vice-Chairman of Devimpact Consultants, furthering the development of impact-driven fintech solutions within the GCC and Africa. A sought-after speaker, Adil has shared his expertise on CBDCs with prominent organizations like the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
Areas of Expertise
Islamic Finance & Structuring
Deep expertise in Sharia-compliant financial structures, products, and advisory for banks and sovereigns.
Digital Assets & CBDC Design
Advising on CBDC frameworks, tokenized commodity platforms, and insurance-backed digital assets.
Risk, Governance & Compliance (OIC Focus)
Designing and implementing robust frameworks based on extensive experience as General Counsel at ICIEC.
Impact Fintech (GCC & Africa)
Guiding fintech ventures focused on impactful solutions, leveraging experience with Devimpact Consultants.
Career & Education
Head of Islamic Finance & Digital Assets Practice
Hoot Innovation Law Hub (Current)
Leading the firm's specialized practice in these intersecting fields.
Vice-Chairman
Devimpact Consultants (Current)
Advancing impact-driven fintech initiatives in the GCC and Africa.
General Counsel
Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC)
Approx. 24 Years (Previous)Shaped foundational risk, governance, and compliance frameworks for OIC markets.
Senior Legal Roles
ARABSAT and Ghazi Suleman & Associates (Previous)
Held significant legal positions prior to joining ICIEC.
In-House Counsel
Sudanese French Bank (Early Career)
Began legal career providing internal counsel.
D.E.A. (Private Law) & D.S.U. (Commercial Law)
Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
EducationLL.B. (Civil Law)
University (Specify if known)
EducationNotable Mandates & Contributions
- Macquarie Bank's Sabodala Gold Project financing in Senegal.
- US-billion-plus facility structuring for Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (with BNP Paribas/Crédit Agricole/ING).
- Advisory on Deutsche Bank's Istanbul Metro expansion financing.
- Shaping widely adopted credit-risk, governance, and compliance frameworks within OIC markets during tenure at ICIEC.
- Lecturing on Central Bank Digital Currencies for the Islamic Financial Services Board and IDB.