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Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to guide your tactical instructions. Confirm financial investment strategies: Guarantee resource allowance and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up 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 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 Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (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 programme enhances global financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'really quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double annual US investments over next decade," 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 across Africa are going into a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new month-to-month conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board professionals to analyze the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term worth development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator 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, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies credible female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated but growth slowing. Total possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil associated properties did well for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to 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 throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 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 delivered strong efficiency in January and February. In spite 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 conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in new capital. This shows that investors were targeting specific direct exposures, while decreasing or turning out of others.
Trading activity stayed consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without substantial main creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region stays durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Comprehending the Impact of New Commercial Codes in OmanRegardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, keeping favorable development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and worldwide economic uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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