Best performing Shariah-compliant mutual funds in H1 2026
By Aboki Forex —
Shariah-compliant mutual funds in Nigeria delivered strong returns in the first half of 2026, with total Net Asset Value (NAV) jumping 74% to N138.26 billion. Data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed that these funds returned an average of 17.54% in the period, driven by equity holdings and improved fixed-income returns.
Fixed-income funds lead with double-digit returns
The Norrenberger Islamic Fund topped the fixed-income category with an 18.47% year-to-date (YTD) return. Managed by Norrenberger Asset Management Limited (NAML), the fund had an NAV of N3.97 billion and more than 990 subscribers. It invests in interest-free money market instruments and is listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
The Marble Halal Commodities Fund came second with a 16.71% return. It is Nigeria's first SEC-approved Shariah-compliant mutual fund dedicated to commodities, investing in agriculture, precious metals, Sukuk, and commodity-linked equities. Its NAV stood at N594.9 million with 145 subscribers.
Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund returned 15.5%, with an NAV of N354.3 million and 89 unitholders. The Emerging Africa Halal Fund posted 13.73%, with an NAV of N354.8 million and 89 subscribers. The FSDH Halal Fund returned 12.45%, with an NAV of N1 billion and 336 unitholders.
Equity funds surge on stock market rally
Only two Shariah-compliant equity funds are listed with the SEC, and both delivered impressive returns. The Stanbic IBTC Imaan Fund led with a 54.65% YTD return, its NAV rising to N31.9 billion with 10,140 unitholders. The fund invests at least 70% of its portfolio in Shariah-compliant equities, with the remainder in Sukuk and other approved instruments.
The Lotus Halal Investment Fund returned 35.85%, with an NAV of N17 billion and more than 17,000 unitholders. It invests in stocks, real estate, and Sukuk.
Balanced funds show strong performance
The ARM Halal Balanced Fund, formerly the ARM Ethical Fund, led the balanced fund category with a 38.82% return. It had an NAV of N18.5 billion and more than 7,500 unitholders. The fund invests in a mix of Shariah-compliant stocks and instruments such as Sukuk and Mudarabah deposits.
The Lotus Waqf Fund, Nigeria's first SEC-approved endowment fund, returned 26.47% with an NAV of N395.6 million and 183 unitholders. It supports charitable causes in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. The One17 Halal Fund returned 24.32%, with an NAV of N181.5 million and 330 unitholders.
Shariah-compliant funds avoid interest-based transactions and exclude industries like alcohol, gambling, and pork-related businesses. While rooted in Islamic finance, they appeal to any investor seeking transparent and interest-free options.