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Notify technique with proof: Use independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client need to guide your tactical direction. Verify financial investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA 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 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme reinforces international economic ties with 26 tactical arrangements," 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 annual US investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In action, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new monthly boardroom dialogue assembling 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 combines board specialists to examine the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber durability Long-lasting value development 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 Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a recurring online forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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Overall properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging background.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable 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 efficiency in January and February. Despite 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area remains durable and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Taking advantage of the Innovation of Saudi Arabia's New HubsIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the broader region and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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