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Inform method with evidence: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and customer need to direct your strategic direction. Validate financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take decisive 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 Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances global economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'extremely quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly United States investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a new month-to-month conference room dialogue convening 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 specialists to take a look at the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting value creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a repeating online forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies trustworthy female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity remaining raised but development slowing down. Total assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the information shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.
Accelerating Regional Industrial Growth through StrategyEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation exposures and products, particularly 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 amid higher oil costs, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly 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. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while decreasing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without considerable primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area remains durable and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, keeping positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the wider region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have so far limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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