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Inform technique with proof: Use independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to assist your tactical direction. Confirm investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.

Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a new regular monthly conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board professionals to take a look at the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: 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, risk oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated but growth slowing down. Overall possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant brand-new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of products.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation direct exposures and commodities, particularly 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 new highs amidst greater oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided 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 positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute 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, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products attracting new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting specific direct exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region stays resistant and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on worldwide 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 last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress relating to 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 costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Essential Middle East Market Research Insights in 2026Despite continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, keeping favorable development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the wider region and international economic unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have so far limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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