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Inform method with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer demand to assist your strategic direction. Validate investment strategies: Guarantee resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA 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 Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces international economic ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly United States investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a new monthly conference room discussion 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 professionals to take a look at the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber durability Long-term value creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Moderator 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, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the newest insights, trends, and methods provided straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
Total properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related assets did well for the a lot of part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have 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 consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of products.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic 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. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst greater oil costs, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. Despite 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 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, including a more cautious policy background 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.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without substantial primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the circumstance.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
The Strategic Significance of Localized Entry in Saudi ArabiaRegardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, keeping positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the broader area and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far limited their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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