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Notify method with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, growth, and client need to assist your tactical direction. Validate investment strategies: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA 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 Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international financial ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly 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, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new regular monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board specialists to examine the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting worth production and sustainability imperatives Leadership 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 Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, threat oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances trustworthy female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Total 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 new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging background.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil related properties did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering 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 performance in January and February. Despite 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 conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without significant main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and consumer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed 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 during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, keeping favorable development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and international financial uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC countries have actually so far restricted their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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