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Inform strategy with evidence: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to direct your tactical instructions. Verify investment plans: Guarantee resource allowance and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens international financial ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'extremely soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double annual United States financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board practitioners to examine the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber resilience Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions 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.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated however growth slowing down. Total assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions did well for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced 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 authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (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 unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
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 efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items attracting new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.
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 taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without substantial main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, keeping positive growth momentum in recent years. While disputes in the wider region and global economic uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually so far restricted their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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