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Inform method with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to direct your strategic instructions. Verify financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly 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 action, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new month-to-month boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board practitioners to analyze the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber strength Long-term worth development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: 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 straight to governance, threat oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity staying elevated however development slowing down. Overall assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related assets succeeded for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two 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 a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Overall, the information reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Driving Dubai Corporate Growth through InnovationEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst greater oil costs, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong efficiency 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 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, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products attracting brand-new capital.

Trading activity remained consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without significant primary creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area remains durable and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually affected sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
In spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, maintaining positive growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and global financial unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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