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Inform technique with evidence: Usage independent information on market confidence, growth, and customer need to direct your tactical instructions. Validate financial investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Opportunity to Elevate 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 Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens international economic ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double annual US financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new monthly conference room discussion assembling 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 combines board practitioners to analyze the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber resilience Long-term worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

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Total properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital deployment. International macro conditions set a tough background.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. In spite of 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 conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF significantly outshined. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in brand-new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.

Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without substantial main developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region stays resistant and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Methods for Scaling Regional Strategy in 2026Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, maintaining favorable growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and international financial uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually so far limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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