All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
Inform method with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, growth, and client demand to guide your tactical instructions. Verify investment strategies: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take definitive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration 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 Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic contracts," 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 financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level women, 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 corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: 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 straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately producing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, trends, and strategies delivered directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
Total assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related possessions did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized 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 (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering 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 provided strong performance in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially surpassed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items attracting new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting specific direct exposures, while decreasing or turning out of others.

Trading activity remained constant, with average 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, enabling financiers to change positions without considerable main productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Why AI Transformation Does Drive Success?In spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, keeping positive growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the larger area and global financial unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
Table of Contents
Latest Posts
%20Market.webp)
Essential Findings Within Latest Regional Market Analysis Reports

Boosting Dubai Industrial Expansion via Strategic Excellence

Will Dubai Lead Industrial Growth during 2026?
Latest Posts
%20Market.webp)
Essential Findings Within Latest Regional Market Analysis Reports

Boosting Dubai Industrial Expansion via Strategic Excellence

Will Dubai Lead Industrial Growth during 2026?