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Inform strategy with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, growth, and client demand to assist your strategic instructions. Verify investment strategies: Ensure resource allocation and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement 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) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'very quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double yearly US investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new monthly conference room discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board practitioners to examine the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber durability Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must 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.

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reputable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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Overall assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related assets succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt delivered strong performance 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 improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products drawing in new capital.

Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without substantial main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Accelerating Dubai Industrial Growth through StrategyIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving favorable growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader region and international financial unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far restricted their impact on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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