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Inform method with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to assist your tactical direction. Validate financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up confident choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly US investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new month-to-month conference room dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board specialists to take a look at the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber durability Long-term value creation and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: 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, threat oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Overall assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. Global macro conditions set a difficult background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related properties did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the information shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular nation exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst higher oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. Regardless 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 conflict and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without significant primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area remains resistant and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide 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 launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Corporate Planning for GCC SuccessRegardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, maintaining favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and global economic unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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