A Business Philosophy Rooted in Al Amaanah: Trust, Integrity, and Purpose at Kingdom Investment Corporation Limited

Hassan Omer Arteh, 2/5/2025

In a world often driven by competition and profit, the ancient principle of Al Amaanah offers a transformative business philosophy grounded in trust, integrity, and a sacred duty to serve God’s creation. Al Amaanah, meaning “sacred trust” in Arabic, reflects the belief that every heartbeat in creation—from the solar system to the air we breathe—operates within a divine, systematic design, each element moving with purpose to sustain life. Violating this principle leads to chaos, while upholding it ensures sustainability and harmony. For businesses, Al Amaanah is not just a moral guideline but a practical framework for achieving enduring success and societal good.

From its inception Al Amaanah has shaped the vision and operations of Kingdom Investment Corporation Limited (KICL), a company founded in 2014 to embody these principles through initiatives like the Operative Decisive Task (ODT) Funding Program. By weaving KICL’s formation, milestones, and aspirations into the narrative, we illustrate how Al Amaanah can guide modern businesses to foster trust-based relationships, ethical stewardship, and a purpose beyond profit—creating a legacy of sustainable prosperity.

The Essence of Al Amaanah in Business

Al Amaanah is the heartbeat of creation, underscoring our duty as custodians of the resources and relationships entrusted to us. In our tradition we believe life’s sustainability depends on this trust—whether it’s the water we drink or the beauty of nature we often take for granted. In business, Al Amaanah translates to operating with integrity, recognizing that resources are not ours to exploit but to manage responsibly for the benefit of all. Historically, civilizations achieved greatness by aligning with Al Amaanah, suggesting that adherence to this principle elevates individuals and societies. For businesses, success is not measured solely by profit but by the trust they build and the purpose they serve. Violating Al Amaanah—through dishonesty, greed, or neglect—leads to chaos, such as broken relationships, reputational damage, or environmental harm. Upholding it fosters harmony and long-term prosperity, as exemplified by KICL’s journey.

A Vision Rooted in Al Amaanah

Kingdom Investment Corporation Limited (KICL) was founded in 2014 with a singular vision rooted in Al Amaanah: to create wealth, abundance, and prosperity by delivering quality service through mutual cooperation and exchange on a global scale. From its inception, KICL balanced capitalism with a spirit of giving, emphasizing that technological advancement alone cannot address future challenges—investing in human capital and creating value through sustainable practices are the cornerstones of success.

This vision aligns with Al Amaanah’s call for trust and stewardship. KICL set out to establish a foundation as a global solutions provider, prioritizing relationships and integrity over short-term gains. Its formation marked the beginning of a journey to demonstrate how businesses can thrive by serving a higher purpose.

The ODT Funding Program as an Al Amaanah in Action

Central to KICL’s mission is the Operative Decisive Task (ODT) Funding Program, a Shariacompliant initiative that embodies Al Amaanah’s principles of trust and integrity. Originated by Arteh based on extensive experience with family offices and royal entities, the ODT Funding Program is designed to ignite project funding schemes that unlock natural resource potential and foster sustainable regional development, particularly in the Horn of Africa. It seeks to create shared opportunities and prosperity for future generations, transforming an innovative concept into a comprehensive business model that attracts investment from prominent Middle Eastern royal family offices.

The ODT Program is a multifaceted, public-private initiative rooted in humanitarian principles of hope, peace, and prosperity. It aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to:

• Empower Communities: Enhance human capital through financing, education, and skill development.

• Build Infrastructure: Support highways, railways, power grids, water systems, and housing projects.

• Promote Stability: Establish transparent governance and sound financial management systems.

• Drive Innovation: Launch digital currencies and integrated banking infrastructures to stimulate trade.

By fostering trust-based partnerships and responsible resource management, the ODT Funding Program exemplifies how Al Amaanah can guide businesses to serve society while achieving economic success.

Milestones of KICL: A History of Trust and Impact

KICL’s history reflects its commitment to Al Amaanah through key milestones:

• 2014: Founding Vision KICL was established with a focus on sustainable value creation, laying the groundwork for a purpose-driven enterprise.

• 2015: Pioneering Collaboration KICL signed an MOU with the Federal Government of Somalia, launching the ODT Program to support humanitarian and infrastructure projects. This partnership showcased trust-based public-private collaboration.

• 2016: Strategic Partnerships KICL allied with family trusts and trading conglomerates, leveraging their expertise to manage assets responsibly and generate funding for impactful initiatives.

• 2019: Capital Raising After years of negotiations, KICL raised substantial capital from Saudi and UAE investors, drawn to the ODT Funding Program’s sustainable vision.

• 2020-2022: Resilience Amid Crisis During the COVID-19 pandemic, KICL adapted by refining its concept remotely, emerging stronger and more resilient—a testament to Al Amaanah’s emphasis on perseverance.

• 2023: Ecosystem Expansion KICL reorganized into nine sectors—banking, energy, trading, building, technology, culture, environment, health, and empowerment—creating a robust business ecosystem aligned with sustainable development.

• 2024: Global Alignment KICL restructured the ODT Funding Program to meet Sharia-compliant and modern asset management standards, joining a consortium of prominent family offices and partnering with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED).

• 2025: Launch KICL group as conglomerate KICL will soon launch its operations in Hong Kong and world wide as conglomerate with an upgraded version of the ODT Funding Program.

These milestones highlight KICL’s dedication to trust, stewardship, and purpose, positioning it as a leader in sustainable investment.

Core Pillars of KICL’s Al Amaanah-Inspired Philosophy

KICL’s operations rest on four pillars derived from Al Amaanah:

• Trust as the Bedrock of Success KICL’s partnerships with governments, family trusts, and investors demonstrate trust’s power in business. Like Patagonia’s environmental activism, KICL’s transparency and reliability build lasting relationships.

• Stewardship Over Ownership Through the ODT Funding Program, KICL manages resources responsibly, mirroring Unilever’s sustainable practices. It views assets as a sacred trust to benefit society, not merely to exploit.

• Purpose Beyond Profit KICL’s focus on sustainable development aligns with Al Amaanah’s call to serve, akin to TOMS Shoes’ giving model. The ODT Program prioritizes societal well-being over financial gain alone.

• Relationships as the Heart of Commerce KICL’s collaborative approach—seen in its alliances and community

Upholding Al Amaanah

Upholding Al Amaanah poses challenges, as KICL faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2020 to 2022, it paused operations but remained committed, refining its vision remotely. This resilience reflects Al Amaanah’s teaching that integrity prevails in adversity. To embed this principle, KICL fosters transparency, sets ethical guidelines, and engages stakeholders, ensuring trust endures even in profit-driven markets.

Time to Take Actions

KICL’s journey shows that embracing Al Amaanah is both a moral duty and a strategic imperative. In a world facing climate crises, inequality, and eroding trust, businesses must lead with integrity and purpose. By following KICL’s example—through initiatives like the ODT Funding Program—leaders can:

• Lead with Integrity: Prioritize ethical decision-making.

• Embrace Stewardship: Manage resources sustainably.

• Pursue Purpose: Align with societal needs.

• Strengthen Relationships: Build trust-based networks.

Final Notes

Al Amaanah offers a philosophy that reflects creation’s heartbeat—a sacred trust to serve with integrity and purpose. Kingdom Investment Corporation Limited embodies this through its formation, the ODT Funding Program, and milestones that prioritize trust and sustainability. As it aspires to catalyze growth in Africa and beyond, KICL proves that businesses can achieve greatness by upholding Al Amaanah, leaving a legacy that honors God’s creation and elevates society.

We are excited to announce that during the month of MAY 2025, we will launch Kingdom Investment Corporation Limited (KICL), a revitalized investment conglomerate rooted in the ethos of philanthropy. This launch marks the beginning of our global operations after a transformative restructuring process that has been underway since 2024. This milestone positions KICL as a leading force among a consortium of prominent family offices in the Middle East. Our pioneering Operation Decisive Task (ODT) Funding Program will be aligned with Sharia-compliant financing and modern asset management strategies, aimed at driving sustainable prosperity across the Horn of Africa, the broader African continent, and beyond.