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Inform technique with proof: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to direct your tactical direction. Confirm financial investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team 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 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 Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces global financial ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary 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 investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new monthly conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board practitioners to analyze the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-term worth production and sustainability imperatives Management choices 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 Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, danger oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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 techniques provided directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity remaining raised but development slowing down. Overall assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a difficult background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related properties did well for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without substantial main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on international luxury 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 expected to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
How to Successfully Deploy Advanced Strategies in 2026Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, preserving favorable development momentum in current years. While disputes in the wider region and international financial unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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