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Inform method with evidence: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and customer need to guide your strategic instructions. Verify financial investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up 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 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 Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'really quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly US financial investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new month-to-month conference room discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board specialists to take a look at the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber strength Long-term value creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: 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 tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately producing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity staying raised however growth slowing. Total possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite 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 conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF considerably exceeded. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products attracting brand-new capital. This suggests that investors were targeting particular direct exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
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Trading activity stayed consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without considerable main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure concentrated 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 expected to launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Future-Focused Operational Models for 2026 MarketsIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, keeping positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider region and worldwide financial unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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