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Notify strategy with evidence: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to assist your tactical direction. Verify investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Opportunity to Elevate 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)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly US financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly conference room discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board professionals to take a look at the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber durability Long-lasting worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: 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 tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies credible female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to sign up with the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, patterns, and strategies delivered directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity remaining raised but growth slowing. Total properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a difficult background.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil related assets did well for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation direct exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil costs, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt delivered 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 ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained consistent, with typical 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, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable main developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the region remains durable and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on global high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Leveraging GCC Research to Effectively Drive Operational GrowthDespite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and worldwide financial unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have so far limited their impact on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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