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Inform technique with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer need to direct your tactical direction. Verify investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances global economic ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double annual US financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are going into a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a new regular monthly boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board professionals to take a look at the real pressures forming board programs 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 durability Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

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Overall properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated properties succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized 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 across the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific country direct exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil prices, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite 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 in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items attracting brand-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. A lot of activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without significant primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area stays durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, maintaining positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the larger region and international financial uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually so far restricted their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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