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Notify strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market confidence, growth, and customer demand to guide your strategic instructions. Verify financial investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take definitive 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 Declaration 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 programme enhances worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," 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," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly conference room dialogue assembling 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 combines board professionals to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber strength Long-term value creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, trends, and techniques delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated however growth slowing. Overall properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil associated possessions did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF introduced on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually 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 made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided 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 published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allocation instead of broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items bring in new capital. This shows that investors were targeting particular exposures, while decreasing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without substantial main developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
How to Utilize Market Intelligence for 2026 SuccessDespite continuous geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, keeping positive development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the wider region and global economic uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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