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Notify strategy with proof: Use independent information on market self-confidence, development, and client need to direct your tactical direction. Confirm investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces global economic 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 prepares to at least double annual United States financial 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, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In action, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is releasing a new monthly conference room dialogue convening 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 specialists to take a look at the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber resilience Long-term worth development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Total assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related assets succeeded for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually 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 across the market was broadly negative, with only 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 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting new capital.
Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without significant primary productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Essential GCC Market Research Insights for 2026Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, keeping favorable development momentum in current years. While conflicts in the larger region and global financial unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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