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Notify method with proof: Use independent information on market self-confidence, development, and client demand to direct your strategic instructions. Confirm investment strategies: Guarantee resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.

Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new month-to-month conference room dialogue 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 professionals to examine the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent 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 straight to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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 provided straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
Overall possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related properties succeeded for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been approved 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 consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of products.
How to Utilize GCC Research for 2026 SuccessPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil prices, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt delivered strong performance 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items drawing in new capital.

Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without considerable main creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region remains durable and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, maintaining favorable development momentum recently. While disputes in the larger region and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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