Amana Bank recognised globally for Most Impactful Company

Amana Bank’s Director representing ICD on the Board, Mohammed Ataur Rahman Chowdhury receiving the award from ICD’s Acting CEO, Dr Khalid Khalafalla.

Amana Bank recently brought honour to Sri Lanka by being recognised on the global stage as the Most Impactful ICD Investee Company of the Year at the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Private Sector Forum Awards 2025, held in Algeria alongside IsDB’s Annual Meetings.

This recognition was awarded to Amana Bank in acknowledgment of its significant contributions to Sri Lanka’s economic development, particularly through empowering SMEs and other enterprises during challenging times, while also driving job creation, advancing financial inclusion, promoting sustainability and delivering meaningful CSR initiatives.

The IsDB Private Sector Forum Awards recognises and honours exceptional achievements, ground-breaking innovations and impactful initiatives by market practitioners driving positive change through non-interest based financing. The Most Impactful ICD Investee Company of the Year award recognises the most outstanding ICD investee company in terms of delivering impact to society and industry.

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector or more commonly known as ICD is a multilateral development financial institution, based in Jeddah, with a mandate to provide financing for private sector projects in member countries, promote competition and entrepreneurship, and encourage cross border investments. ICD focuses on financing projects that contribute to economic development, including job creation, the development of Islamic finance, export growth and sustainability.

As the primary shareholder of Amana Bank, ICD, together with the IsDB Group, holds a 28% ownership stake in the Bank, despite Sri Lanka not being a member country of either the IsDB or the OIC. Having first invested in Amana Bank in 2017, ICD further increased its stake to help the Bank meet regulatory minimum capital requirements—an investment made during one of the most challenging periods in Sri Lanka’s recent economic history, including when the country rating was at default.

Amana Bank’s Director representing ICD on the Board, Mohammed Ataur Rahman Chowdhury accepted this prestigious award on behalf of Amana Bank from ICD’s Acting CEO, Dr Khalid Khalafalla, during the ceremony.

Commenting on this accolade Amana Bank’s Managing Director/CEO Mohamed Azmeer said “Firstly, we are deeply grateful to IsDB Group and ICD in particular, for the visionary decision in believing and investing in Amana Bank, despite Sri Lanka being a non-member country of IsDB Group. This visionary investment decision, has today resulted in Amana Bank generating a strong track record of resilient and consistent performance; achieving an investment grade rating from Fitch while ensuring regular dividends; reaching out to 500,000+ Retail and SME customers, while championing sustainability and financial inclusion upholding the values of Islamic Banking; touching the lives of 3,000+ Orphans giving them a foundation to succeed in life through Amana Banks flagship CSR project ‘OrphanCare’, which adheres to Article 2 of the UN charter on the rights of a child ensuring zero discrimination, and in line with UNSDG No. 10 Reduced Inequalities; and the achievement of many other aspects of creating impact.  This accolade is a strong testament to the positive impact we have created through our value-driven banking model; one that stands out on the global stage for championing sustainability and financial inclusion”
Mr Azmeer further added “I am thankful to all our customers, shareholders and employees for their continued trust and loyalty in Amana Bank and look forward to upholding the values that this award represents, and continue our journey of impact, inclusion, and innovation”

Amãna Bank PLC is a stand-alone institution licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange with Jeddah-based IsDB Group being the principal shareholder of the Bank. The IsDB Group is a ‘AAA’ rated multilateral development financial institution with a membership of 57 countries. Testifying its position as a leading practitioner of the non-interest based banking model, Amãna Banks was recognized amongst the Top 25 Strongest Islamic Bank’s in the World by The Asian Banker.

Amãna Bank does not have any subsidiaries, associates, or affiliated institutions apart from its engagement with OrphanCare as its Founding Sponsor.