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Inform method with proof: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and client demand to assist your strategic instructions. Confirm investment strategies: Guarantee resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive 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)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces worldwide financial ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'very quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double annual United States financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new regular monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board professionals to examine the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term worth development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a repeating online 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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Total properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a difficult background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil related properties did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will 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 across the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products bring in new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without considerable main developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury 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 throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
How to Implement Future Strategies for 2026Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, maintaining favorable development momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider area and international economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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