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Notify method with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to guide your strategic direction. Verify financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allotment and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double annual United States 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 throughout Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to examine the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber durability Long-lasting worth creation and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances trustworthy female governance voices, and broadens 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 discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the newest insights, trends, and strategies provided straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
Overall properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital deployment. International macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related possessions succeeded for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the information shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of products.
Crucial Insights From Latest GCC Market Research ReportsPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst greater oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains 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 published positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without significant primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resistant and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer 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 introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Corporate Planning for Middle East SuccessIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving positive development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader region and international financial uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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