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Inform technique with proof: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and client need to guide your strategic instructions. Validate investment strategies: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly 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)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens international economic ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'very quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly United States investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a new month-to-month conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board specialists to analyze the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber durability Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling 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 purposefully developing a recurring online forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, trends, and techniques delivered straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation stage, with activity remaining raised however growth slowing. Overall properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil associated possessions succeeded for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been authorized 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 comprised 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.
Egypt provided 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 posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably outshined. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items bring in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Strategic Advice Regarding Navigating Regional Economy ComplexityRegardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, preserving favorable development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the broader area and worldwide economic unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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