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Notify method with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to assist your tactical direction. Confirm financial investment strategies: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team 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 Major Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In 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) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances global financial ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly United States financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board practitioners to examine the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: 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, threat oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, trends, and strategies provided straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity remaining elevated however development slowing. Total possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Overall, the information shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst greater oil prices, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Regardless of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict 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 also faced broader macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items drawing in new capital.
Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without considerable main developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region stays resilient and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end and customer brands. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, preserving favorable development momentum in current years. While conflicts in the wider area and worldwide economic unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have so far restricted their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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