Navigating the 2026 GCC Economic Landscape for Leaders

Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and client demand to assist your strategic instructions. Verify investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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 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 programme strengthens international financial ties with 26 tactical 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 US investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a new month-to-month boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.

Advanced Strategy for Regional Leadership

This inaugural session unites board specialists to analyze the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber strength Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances trustworthy female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.

4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the latest insights, patterns, and techniques provided straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.

How to Leverage GCC Research for 2026 Growth

The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity staying raised but growth slowing down. Overall assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. Global macro conditions set a tough background.

The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil associated possessions succeeded for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF introduced on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized 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 throughout the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing 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.

How to Leverage GCC Intelligence for 2026 Growth

Egypt delivered strong efficiency in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict 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 likewise faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in new capital.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Corporate Strategy for Regional Excellence

Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without substantial primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region remains resistant and well capitalized to handle the scenario.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on international high-end and customer brand names. 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 final approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.

Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving positive growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader area and global financial unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.