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Inform method with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, growth, and customer demand to guide your strategic instructions. Verify investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'very soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double annual United States investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new month-to-month boardroom 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 unites board practitioners to analyze the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying raised but growth slowing. Total properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright 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 are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in 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 belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items bring in new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without considerable primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress 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 sentiment and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Why UAE Skill Improvement Is a Competitive RequirementDespite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving favorable development momentum recently. While disputes in the wider region and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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