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Notify technique with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and client need to assist your strategic instructions. Verify investment strategies: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take decisive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a new regular monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to analyze the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances trustworthy female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated however development slowing. Total properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. Global macro conditions set a tough background.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated possessions succeeded for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 published favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in brand-new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific direct exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
Trading activity remained consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without considerable main productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on global high-end and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local properties.
How Shared Provider Are Driving Digital Improvement in the GulfRegardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and international economic uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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