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Inform strategy with evidence: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and client need to direct your tactical direction. Verify investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive 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 Nations (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 strengthens international financial ties with 26 strategic contracts," 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 a minimum of double annual US investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new regular monthly boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board practitioners to take a look at the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber strength Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
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4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, patterns, and strategies delivered directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated however growth slowing. Overall assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a difficult background.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 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 performance in January and February. Regardless of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF substantially exceeded. 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 just a small number of items attracting brand-new capital. This shows that investors were targeting specific exposures, while decreasing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without substantial primary developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area stays resilient and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end 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 final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global 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.
Strategic Planning for Middle East SuccessIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, keeping favorable development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and worldwide economic unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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