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Notify method with evidence: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, development, and customer need to direct your strategic instructions. Confirm investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take definitive 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 Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens global economic ties with 26 tactical contracts," 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 a minimum of double annual United States 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, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new monthly boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board professionals to take a look at the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber strength Long-lasting worth creation and sustainability imperatives Management decisions 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 straight to governance, danger oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances reputable female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity staying elevated but development slowing down. Total properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a difficult background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, two more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
GCC News: Major Corporate Trends in 2026Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs in the middle of higher oil rates, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong performance 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 favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably surpassed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in brand-new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without substantial main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end and customer brand names. 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 introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local properties.
GCC News: Major Corporate Trends in 2026Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, maintaining favorable growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have up until now limited their impact on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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