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Inform method with evidence: Use independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to assist your tactical instructions. Confirm investment strategies: Ensure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity 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 program enhances worldwide financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly United States investments over next decade," Might 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 across Africa are going into a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a new monthly 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 combines board professionals to analyze the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term worth production and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating online forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Overall assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. International macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related properties did well for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also 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 (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.
Boosting Regional Manufacturing Expansion StrategiesEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil rates, along with its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
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 posted favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without significant main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Boosting Dubai Industrial Growth via Strategic ExcellenceIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, preserving positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the larger region and worldwide economic unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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