All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to assist your tactical direction. Validate financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allocation and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Raise 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) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances global economic ties with 26 strategic 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 plans to at least double annual US investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a new month-to-month conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board professionals to analyze the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber strength Long-lasting value creation and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards must 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 an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reliable female governance voices, and expands 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 most current insights, trends, and strategies delivered directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a consolidation phase, with activity staying raised however development slowing down. Total possessions held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil related assets succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering 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.
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 posted favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced wider macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items 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, allowing financiers to change positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global 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 anticipated to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Despite continuous geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, keeping favorable growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the larger region and global economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
Latest Posts
Strategic Planning for Middle East Leadership
Corporate Planning for Regional Success
Strategic Strategy for Regional Success


