KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia | August 27, 2026 – M&T Consultants, Islamic Co., a Philippine-based Islamic finance advisory and capacity development firm, received the WOMANi Excellence Award for Islamic Finance Capacity Building & Training 2026 during the WOMANi Programme held in Kuala Lumpur.
M&T co-founders Mohammad Zidni Marohombsar and Hamodi Lao Tiboron were joined at the ceremony by Vice Consul Patricia Anne G. Laggui and Attaché Clarissa Marie G. Villamor of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur. Their presence was a welcome expression of support as M&T marked this international milestone.
Presented by WOMANi, an international recognition platform developed by United Kingdom-based Cambridge International Financial Advisory (IFA), the award highlights M&T’s efforts to translate Islamic finance knowledge into practical opportunities for professionals, institutions, entrepreneurs, and communities.
Cambridge IFA also officially released its WOMANi Report 2026 during the programme, featuring 500 of the most influential women in Islamic business and finance and the halal economy. Among those featured is Atty. Arifa A. Ala of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), who has previously been recognised as a WOMANi Five-Star Alumni and Influencer. Her inclusion brings further international recognition to Philippine leadership in advancing Islamic finance and financial inclusion.
Among M&T’s initiatives is the Women Empowerment Facility (WEF), a Shari’ah-compliant financing programme supporting women entrepreneurs and women transitioning from former combatant roles into productive civilian livelihoods.
The WEF was launched in 2025 as part of The Asia Foundation’s Accelerate Bangsamoro Project, with support from the Australian Government. It was piloted in partnership with the League of Moro Women Organization Inc. (LMWOI) and Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC), with M&T developing its Shari’ah framework and supporting its continuing enhancement and scale-up.
The initiative forms part of M&T’s broader work in advancing Islamic finance in the Philippines. Headquartered in the Bangsamoro, with a dedicated training centre at Greenhills Tower in San Juan City, Metro Manila, the firm provides Shari’ah advisory and consultancy, audit and assurance, capacity development, research and policy support, and digital solutions.
Locally grounded yet globally connected, M&T engages institutions and partners across the Philippines, Malaysia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and beyond.
“Alhamdulillah, this recognition affirms that capacity building can open pathways for women to become active participants in the Islamic economy, as entrepreneurs, cooperative leaders, programme implementers, and partners in peacebuilding,” said Hamodi Lao Tiboron, Managing Partner of M&T Consultants, Islamic Co.
“We receive this not only as an institutional milestone, but as an opportunity to bring greater international visibility to the women and communities behind our work. The more meaningful recognition belongs to the women who are rebuilding livelihoods, strengthening their enterprises, and helping sustain peace and development in the Bangsamoro,” he added.
The recognition comes as the Philippines continues to strengthen its Islamic finance ecosystem under Republic Act No. 11439 and deepen regional cooperation during its 2026 ASEAN Chairship. It also demonstrates the potential of locally developed Bangsamoro initiatives to contribute inclusive models to the wider ASEAN and global Islamic finance community.
M&T expressed its appreciation to the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, its team, women and community partners, implementing organisations, development partners, regulators, lecturers, consultants, and Philippine and international institutions supporting the advancement of Islamic finance in the country.
#WOMANi2026 #CambridgeIFA #IslamicFinancePh
#MnTPh #TAF #AccelerateBangsamoro #LMWOI #WEF