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Notify method with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and client demand to direct your tactical instructions. Validate financial investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant 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 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 programme reinforces global economic ties with 26 tactical 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 at least double annual United States financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny 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, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is releasing a new month-to-month boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board practitioners to take a look at the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber strength Long-lasting worth production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards should 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 a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to sign up with the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, trends, and techniques delivered directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.
Overall assets held broadly steady 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 difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil associated assets did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). 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 only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt delivered strong efficiency 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 continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF significantly outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allowance instead of broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items attracting new capital. This shows that investors were targeting specific exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without considerable main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on worldwide luxury and consumer 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 release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Winning Regional Hearts: A Guide to Saudi Market EntryIn spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, maintaining favorable growth momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the broader region and international economic uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have so far limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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