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Inform technique with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and client demand to assist your tactical direction. Verify financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take definitive 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 Countries (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 reinforces global economic ties with 26 tactical 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 prepares 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 country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new regular monthly conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board specialists to examine the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber durability Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent 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, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies trustworthy female governance voices, and expands 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 current insights, patterns, and techniques provided directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity staying raised but development slowing. Overall possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil associated properties succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. 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 Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of items.
Ways to Utilize Market Research for GrowthEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil prices, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. In spite 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 continuous Middle East conflict 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 dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in new capital.

Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without significant primary creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end 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 launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Key Tips for Operational Excellence in the GCCDespite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, keeping favorable growth momentum in recent years. While disputes in the wider region and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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