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Notify method with evidence: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to assist your strategic instructions. Validate financial investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team 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 Significant Strategic Opportunity 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 reinforces worldwide financial ties with 26 strategic contracts," 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 at least double yearly United States investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new 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 unites board professionals to take a look at the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
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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 intentionally creating a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, patterns, and strategies delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying raised however growth slowing down. Overall assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital release. International macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.
Evaluating Legacy Systems and Future Business FrameworksPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular country exposures and products, particularly 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 higher oil rates, along with 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 positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items drawing in new capital.

Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without significant main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on international high-end and customer 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 expected to launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Despite continuous geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, keeping positive growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader region and international economic uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far restricted their impact on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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