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Inform strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market confidence, growth, and customer need to assist your strategic direction. Validate investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA 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)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens worldwide financial ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'really soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double annual US financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are going into a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively identify which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board professionals to examine the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber strength Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards need to 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 a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity remaining raised but development slowing down. Total properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a difficult background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related possessions did well for the a lot of part. On the favorable 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 approved 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 comprised 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 delivering positive 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 favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items drawing in new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable main developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on global 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 expected to launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
The Growing Impact of Shared Services on Gulf PerformanceDespite continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, keeping positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider region and global financial unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have actually up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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