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Inform technique with proof: Usage independent information on market confidence, development, and client demand to guide your strategic direction. Validate financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'very quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly US investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is launching a new monthly conference room discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board specialists to take a look at the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber durability Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, threat oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity remaining raised but development slowing. Overall properties held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a tough background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated properties succeeded for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Unlocking Effectiveness with Gulf-Wide Shared Service IntegrationPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst higher oil costs, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without significant main developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resistant and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on international luxury and consumer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are expected to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Unlocking Effectiveness with Gulf-Wide Shared Service IntegrationRegardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining favorable development momentum in recent years. While conflicts in the larger area and international economic unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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