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Inform technique with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and customer demand to guide your tactical direction. Verify financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allocation and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international financial ties with 26 tactical arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'extremely soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly US financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new regular monthly boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board practitioners to analyze the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber durability Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 straight to governance, danger oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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Total properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of items.
Key GCC Market Research Insights for 2026Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular nation direct exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil rates, along with its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without considerable main productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area remains resistant and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end and customer 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 release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Key GCC Market Research Insights for 2026Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, maintaining positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the larger area and global financial unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have so far restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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