Managing the 2026 Regional Business Environment for Executives

Notify strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market confidence, development, and customer need to guide your strategic instructions. Confirm financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allowance and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Raise 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 programme reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double annual US financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards throughout Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly boardroom dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.

How Is Business Excellence Crucial for Future Growth?

This inaugural session brings together board practitioners to analyze the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber resilience Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should 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.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.

4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to sign up with the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most current insights, patterns, and techniques delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.

Advanced Strategy for Middle East Excellence

Total possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. International macro conditions set a tough background.

The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.

Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular country exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst greater oil rates, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.

How to Utilize GCC Intelligence for Growth

Egypt delivered strong efficiency 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 positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict 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 more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.

Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items bring in new capital.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How Does Operational Excellence Crucial for 2026 Expansion?

Trading activity stayed stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without substantial main developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region remains durable and well capitalized to handle the scenario.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, keeping favorable growth momentum recently. While disputes in the larger area and worldwide economic uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.