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Notify strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to guide your tactical direction. Validate investment strategies: Guarantee resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new monthly boardroom dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board specialists to analyze the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Moderator 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 directly to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation stage, with activity remaining elevated but growth slowing down. Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant brand-new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related assets succeeded for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the information shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of items.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid 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 posted positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without considerable main productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on international high-end and consumer 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 introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Structure Loyalty in the UAE's Short-term Talent MarketDespite continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, preserving positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the larger area and global financial unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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