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Inform method with proof: Use independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to assist your strategic direction. Verify investment strategies: Make sure resource allowance and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take definitive 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 Declaration 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 Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces global financial ties with 26 strategic 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 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 nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board practitioners to take a look at the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber durability Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices 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 directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a recurring online forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reputable female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, patterns, and techniques provided directly to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity remaining raised but growth slowing. Total possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital deployment. International macro conditions set a tough background.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Performance 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. In spite 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in new capital.
Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without considerable primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resistant and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
The Benefits of Industrial Growth for the GCCDespite continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, keeping positive development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the broader area and international economic unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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