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Inform method with evidence: Use independent data on market confidence, growth, and client need to assist your strategic instructions. Verify investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (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 reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical 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 prepares to at least double annual US investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in partnership 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 business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board practitioners to analyze the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: 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, danger oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Overall properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a tough background.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
The Benefits of Industrial Excellence in the GCCEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular nation exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst greater oil rates, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. Regardless 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 conflict and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced wider macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without considerable main productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on worldwide luxury 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 expected to launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually affected sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
The Benefits of Industrial Excellence in the GCCIn spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, preserving positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the wider region and international financial unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually so far restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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