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Inform method with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to guide your strategic instructions. Verify investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group 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 Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances global financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'very soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double yearly US financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-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 examine the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber durability Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator 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 straight to governance, danger oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity remaining raised however development slowing. Overall possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided 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 published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing 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 also faced broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed constant, 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, making it possible for investors to change positions without significant main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on international luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
In spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, maintaining positive growth momentum in recent years. While conflicts in the wider area and international financial unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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