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Inform method with proof: Usage independent information on market confidence, development, and client demand to guide your strategic instructions. Verify investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'very soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly US investments over next years," May 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 getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new regular monthly conference room discussion 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 professionals to analyze the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-lasting value creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity staying raised but growth slowing down. Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a difficult background.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the a lot of part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of greater oil prices, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong performance 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 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 likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resistant and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
Why Skill Improvement Is the UAE's Leading Top priorityIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping favorable development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger region and worldwide economic unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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