Export financing has become one of the most critical policy instruments shaping national competitiveness at a time when global trade is characterized by rising uncertainty and risk. In economies where production is driven by SMEs, access to affordable financing, improved receivables management and strengthened collateral frameworks directly influence export capacity. Across the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, this need underscores the importance of developing institutionally defined export financing mechanisms aligned with participation finance principles. Türkiye stands out as a significant example in this context, having successfully integrated its participation banking infrastructure into the broader export financing ecosystem. Türk Eximbank, in particular, has assumed a pioneering role by designing a comprehensive suite of participation finance — compliant products over recent years. This study analyzes Türk Eximbank’s approach to export financing through participation banks and positions Türkiye within the wider OIC landscape through a comparative and holistic lens.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Participation Banks Association of Türkiye (TKBB) and Medeniyet University by TKBB Secretary General, Mr. İsmail Vural, and the Rector of Medeniyet University, Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik.

Participation finance is structured not only to generate financial returns but also to generate social benefits by directly contributing to the real economy. Guided by the principles of directing capital to productive areas, sharing risk, and ensuring the fair functioning of the economic cycle, the system serves both financial stability and social balance. The institutionalization of participation finance in Türkiye continues to advance, driven by a robust regulatory framework, strong public support, the sector’s growing institutional maturity, and the rapid pace of digitalization. Reflecting these structural improvements, the sector demonstrated solid performance in 2025. As of September 2025, the total assets of participation banks had increased by 45% compared to the end of the previous year, reaching TRY3.86 trillion (US$91.51 billion), with their share in the overall banking sector rising to 8.9%

The Participation Banks Association of Türkiye (TKBB) hosted a delegation consisting of representatives from the Algerian Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Investment Fund (FNI), under the coordination of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD).

A delegation from the Central Bank of Egypt visited the Participation Banks Association of Türkiye (TKBB) as part of a field study program jointly organized by the Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI) and the Banks Association of Türkiye (TBB), focusing on Türkiye’s financial landscape.

Pursuant to the instructions of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a meaningful and strategic cooperation has been established between the Participation Banks Association of Türkiye (TKBB) and the Ministry of National Education (MEB) within the framework of the “From Roots to the Future (Maziden Atiye)” program, which was initiated for the first time in 2023 at the Presidential Complex in Ahlat, Bitlis. During the initial phase of this cooperation, a series of comprehensive activities aimed at enhancing students’ awareness of history and culture were successfully implemented, thereby strengthening the connection of youth with national and moral values.

The Participation Finance Seminar Series, launched through the collaboration of the Participation Banks Association of Türkiye (TKBB) and Bloomberg, continues to bring together industry professionals. The first session of the series was held on September 9, 2025, and drew attention with its comprehensive evaluations of participation finance markets.

During the official visit of H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Pakistan in 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between TKBB and Meezan Bank. As the first collaboration implemented under this MoU, we had the privilege of hosting Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s first and largest Islamic bank, at webinar titled “Pakistan’s Financial Transformation and the Role of Meezan Bank.”

Organized in collaboration with TKBB and Moody’s Ratings and hosted by Ziraat Katılım, the program brought together global financial ecosystem at the Istanbul Financial Center. The outlook for participation finance, sustainable growth, ESG trends and the vision for digital transformation were discussed.

The global financial system entered a period of intensified search for ethical, sustainable, and real-economy-based models after the 2008 crisis. In this process, the participation finance model—built upon the principles of interest-free transactions, risk sharing, and asset-based structures—emerged as a prominent alternative. Today, this system is considered not only in countries with large Muslim populations but also by international investors who embrace ethical investment principles. In terms of total assets, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates stand out as leading countries, while Türkiye has recently attracted attention as a rising actor with its growing capacity.