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Notify technique with evidence: Usage independent information on market confidence, growth, and customer demand to guide your tactical instructions. Verify financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allowance and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident choices: 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 between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international economic ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'very quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly US investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new regular monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board practitioners to analyze the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting worth production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent 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 directly to governance, danger oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a recurring 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 entered Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity remaining elevated however growth slowing down. Overall assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a tough background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil associated properties did well for the a lot of part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF introduced 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 are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 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 faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful 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 a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, 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 particular exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without significant primary developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated 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 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Navigating the Cultural Landscape of Saudi Organization HubsRegardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, preserving favorable development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far restricted their impact on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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