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Inform technique with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and client demand to guide your strategic direction. Verify financial investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'really soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly US investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively identify which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new month-to-month conference room dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to analyze the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber strength Long-term worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to 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, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating 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 boardrooms.
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Total possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil associated properties did well for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF introduced on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will 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). Efficiency 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 idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong efficiency 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 continuous Middle East conflict 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 broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without considerable main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Why Data Shapes Regional Corporate SuccessDespite continuous geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, keeping positive growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader region and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their impact on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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