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Inform strategy with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and client demand to assist your tactical direction. Verify investment strategies: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Equip 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 Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens international financial ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double annual US financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new regular monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board professionals to examine the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber durability Long-term worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, danger oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Overall possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. International macro conditions set a challenging background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions did well for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Handling Cross-Border Compliance Between Muscat and DohaEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation 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 exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst higher oil prices, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt delivered 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 published favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items drawing in brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed 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 substantial main developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area remains durable and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, preserving favorable development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the larger area and international financial unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have actually so far limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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