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Notify strategy with proof: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to guide your strategic instructions. Confirm financial investment strategies: Guarantee resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive 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 in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'extremely 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," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country 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 greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new month-to-month conference room discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board specialists to analyze the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator 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 instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated however growth slowing down. Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated properties did well for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been approved 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 comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance 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 continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF significantly outshined. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products bring in new capital. This indicates that investors were targeting specific exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without substantial primary productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area remains durable and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused 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 anticipated to release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Upskilling the UAE Workforce for a Post-AI EconomyIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, maintaining positive development momentum in recent years. While disputes in the larger area and international economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far limited their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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