All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
Notify strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to direct your tactical instructions. Validate investment strategies: Make sure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA 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 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 global financial ties with 26 tactical arrangements," 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 at least double annual United States financial 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 defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new regular 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 unites board practitioners to analyze the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber durability Long-lasting worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should 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.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a recurring online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances trustworthy 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 sign up with the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, patterns, and methods delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.
Overall properties held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related assets succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, two more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt delivered strong performance 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 continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually 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, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products bring in new capital.
Trading activity remained consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without considerable main developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide 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 introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Key Developments in the Future GCC MarketIn spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, keeping favorable growth momentum recently. While disputes in the larger region and international financial unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
Latest Posts
Crucial GCC Business Analysis Insights in 2026
Can the GCC Lead Industrial Growth through 2026?
Why Future-Focused Strategy Reshapes the GCC Economy


