All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
Inform method with evidence: Use independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer need to direct your tactical instructions. Confirm investment plans: Make sure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip 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 progressively figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new month-to-month conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board professionals to analyze the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber resilience Long-term worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies trustworthy female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
Get the newest insights, patterns, and strategies delivered straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated however growth slowing. Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant brand-new capital deployment. International macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated possessions did well for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 reshaped 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 careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF significantly outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items drawing in brand-new capital. This shows that investors were targeting particular direct exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial primary developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on global luxury 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 expected to launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Actionable Tips for Mastering the 2026 Regional LandscapeDespite ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate durability, keeping favorable development momentum in current years. While conflicts in the larger region and international economic unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now limited their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained 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

