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Notify technique with evidence: Use independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer need to direct your tactical instructions. Confirm investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA 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 Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens international economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'extremely soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly 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, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new regular monthly conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board practitioners to analyze the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Mediator 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, threat oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully producing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Overall properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a challenging background.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
How to Maintain a Competitive Edge in DubaiEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst greater oil rates, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided 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 posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without substantial main developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on worldwide 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 last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
How Future-Focused Strategy Reshapes the Regional EconomyDespite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, keeping favorable growth momentum in recent years. While conflicts in the larger region and international financial uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now limited their impact on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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