Halal economy: London brings together entrepreneurs and investors from around the world

London will host the second edition of the London Halal Forum on October 10 and 11, at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre. Entrepreneurs, investors and institutional leaders will meet there to develop partnerships and explore new opportunities in the halal economy and Islamic finance. Representatives from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and several African countries, including Nigeria, are expected, according to the Anadolu agency, media partner of the event. The announced objective is to facilitate investments and access to international markets, while strengthening cooperation between players in the sector.

The numbers give the measure of the issues. According to DinarStandard’s 2025-2026 report, Muslim consumer spending in six major sectors — food, fashion, tourism, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and leisure — reached $2.6 trillion in 2024. It could rise to $3.56 trillion in 2029, according to the firm’s projections. Food remains the leading item, with 1,530 billion dollars in 2024. But fashion also represents 347 billion dollars, tourism 249 billion and cosmetics 92 billion. These estimates relate to spending by Muslim consumers in these sectors and are therefore not limited to halal-certified products alone.

This diversity is found in the program of the London forum. Beyond agri-food, discussions will cover technology, artificial intelligence, tourism, logistics and brand development. For companies, it is also about better organizing their distribution, making their products known and finding partners abroad. Islamic finance will also occupy a central place. DinarStandard estimates its assets at $5,990 billion in 2024, with a projection of $9,720 billion in 2029. These amounts designate financial assets: they are distinct from consumer spending and should not be added to them.

An event dedicated to Palestinian products and gastronomy is also announced. It will give visibility to Palestinian know-how within this international economic meeting. For French companies interested in these markets, the questions are concrete: how to identify the right distributors, meet certification requirements and adapt your offer to local expectations? Product quality matters, but it must be accompanied by market knowledge and lasting business relationships.

The London meeting intends to encourage these meetings. Behind the big figures of the halal economy, the challenge will be to transform exchanges into investments, contracts and opportunities for businesses.