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Notify strategy with evidence: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and customer need to guide your tactical direction. Verify investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens international economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," 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 prepares to a minimum of double yearly US financial investments over next years," May 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 across Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new regular monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board professionals to analyze the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber strength Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions 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.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies 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 join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, trends, and methods provided 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 debt consolidation phase, with activity remaining elevated however development slowing down. Overall properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil costs, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided 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 favorable 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 dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial primary productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region stays resistant and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on worldwide 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 associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, keeping positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the larger area and international economic uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have actually so far limited their impact on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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