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Inform strategy with proof: Use independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer need to guide your tactical instructions. Verify investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up confident choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth 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 releasing a new monthly conference room discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board professionals to examine the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards should 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 an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation stage, with activity remaining elevated however growth slowing down. Overall possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital deployment. International macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little 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 focused in specific nation exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst higher oil rates, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided 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 favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the most part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF considerably exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items attracting brand-new capital. This suggests that investors were targeting specific direct exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without significant primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end and consumer 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 release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Boosting ROI Through Data-Driven Middle East Market IntelligenceIn spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, keeping favorable development momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider area and international economic uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their impact on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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