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Inform strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client need to direct your strategic direction. Confirm financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance 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)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens international economic ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'really quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly US investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are going into a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a new month-to-month boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board professionals to examine the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber durability Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator 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 straight to governance, danger oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately producing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies trustworthy female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Overall possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related assets did well for the a lot of part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to 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). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of items.
The Secret to Long-Term Skill Retention in the UAEPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil prices, as well as 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 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 also dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring 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 occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without significant primary productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, keeping favorable development momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader region and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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