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Notify technique with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to assist your strategic direction. Confirm financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up confident choices: Equip 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 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double yearly United States financial investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE 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 specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new monthly 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 Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board specialists to take a look at the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber strength Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity staying raised however growth slowing. Total assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of items.
How Regional Partnerships Secure Your Saudi Market EntryPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation direct exposures and products, especially 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 amidst higher oil rates, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
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 posted favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous 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 dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial primary productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Preparing Your GCC Outsourcing Method for 2026 InterruptionsDespite continuous geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, maintaining positive growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and global economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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