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Inform technique with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, growth, and client need to direct your strategic direction. Confirm financial investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major 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 programme enhances global financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," 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 plans to at least double yearly United States financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly conference room dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board practitioners to analyze the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber resilience Long-term value creation and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should 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 an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances trustworthy 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 consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated however development slowing down. Total assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful new capital release. Global macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic 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 posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing 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 dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items bring 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. Many activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without significant main creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region stays resistant and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on global luxury and customer 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 launch in April pending a last 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 during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Optimising Operational Efficiency through Strategic Market ResearchIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate durability, preserving favorable development momentum in recent years. While disputes in the broader region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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