All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
Notify method with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to assist your strategic direction. Confirm investment strategies: Guarantee resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement 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 Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances international economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly United States financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is launching a new month-to-month 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 practitioners to examine the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber strength Long-term worth production 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 Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a repeating online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies 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 sign up with the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, patterns, and techniques delivered straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying raised however growth slowing down. Total possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided 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 ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without significant primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area stays durable and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury 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 launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Why Is Business Excellence Vital for Future Expansion?Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, maintaining positive growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and international economic unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have so far limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
Latest Posts
Achieving Strategic Excellence in the Middle East
Navigating Regional Market Strategy in 2026
Key Benefits of Strategic Excellence in the GCC

