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Notify method with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, development, and customer need to guide your strategic direction. Validate investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up confident choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take decisive 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 Statement 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 enhances global economic ties with 26 tactical 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 a minimum of double yearly US financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a new regular monthly boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
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Overall properties held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related properties succeeded for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the information reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Ways to Utilize GCC Research for 2026 SuccessEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular nation exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid greater oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
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 posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF significantly outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.

Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without significant primary developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end 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 introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the larger area and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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