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Inform technique with evidence: Use independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer need to assist your tactical direction. Validate investment strategies: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in 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 In 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 programme reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly United States financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board professionals to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber durability Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should 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 instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies trustworthy female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Total assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related assets succeeded for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. 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 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 faced broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without substantial main developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area stays resilient and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on international 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 expected to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually affected sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, keeping positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the larger area and global financial unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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