All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client demand to direct your tactical instructions. Confirm investment plans: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme reinforces worldwide 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 at least double annual United States 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, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new month-to-month conference room dialogue assembling 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 practitioners to take a look at the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber strength Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 directly to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to sign up with the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, trends, and techniques provided straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity staying raised however development slowing. Total properties held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related assets did well for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific country direct exposures and products, particularly 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 local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of higher oil costs, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved 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 mindful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows 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 drawing in brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without substantial main developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Seven Steps to Establishing Your Brand in Emerging Saudi CitiesRegardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, keeping favorable growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider area and worldwide financial unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
Latest Posts
Key Middle East Market Research Reports for 2026
Mapping Regional Market Strategy in 2026
Ways to Utilize Market Intelligence for 2026 Growth


