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Notify technique with proof: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to guide your tactical direction. Verify financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allotment and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up confident choices: 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 Raise 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 Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical 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 plans to at least double annual US financial investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a new regular monthly conference room dialogue assembling 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 unites board professionals to take a look at the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting worth creation and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, danger oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical 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 current insights, patterns, and techniques provided straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
Overall properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related assets did well for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized 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 consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with just 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. 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 between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity stayed consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without significant primary creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area remains durable and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global high-end and customer 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 last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
How AI Shift Will Fuel Success?Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, maintaining positive growth momentum in recent years. While disputes in the broader region and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have up until now limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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