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Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, growth, and customer need to direct your tactical instructions. Confirm investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take definitive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-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 Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber durability Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must 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 directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies 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 gone into Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying raised but growth slowing. Overall properties held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil associated assets did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of products.
Why Shared Services Are Necessary for GCC Market ScalingEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid greater oil prices, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided 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 published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without significant main developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region remains durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the broader region and international economic uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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