Leading the 2026 GCC Economic Environment for Leaders

Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to direct your strategic instructions. Confirm financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take definitive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is releasing a new monthly boardroom dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.

How Is Operational Excellence Crucial for Future Expansion?

This inaugural session unites board professionals to examine the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.

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Advanced Planning for Regional Leadership

Overall assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.

The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.

Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation direct exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid higher oil costs, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.

How Does Business Excellence Essential for 2026 Expansion?

Egypt delivered strong efficiency 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 conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF substantially surpassed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allocation instead of broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items drawing in new capital. This suggests that investors were targeting particular exposures, while reducing or rotating out of others.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Advanced Strategy for Middle East Success

Trading activity stayed consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without significant main productions or redemptions.

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on global luxury and consumer 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 anticipated to launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the broader region and global economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far restricted their impact on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.