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Inform method with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to guide your strategic instructions. Confirm investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation In 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international financial ties with 26 tactical arrangements," 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 prepares to a minimum of double annual United States investments over next years," Might 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 entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly boardroom dialogue 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 brings together board practitioners to analyze the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards must 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 directly to governance, threat oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, trends, and methods delivered directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
Overall assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 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 delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 posted positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF considerably surpassed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in brand-new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific direct exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained stable, 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 actually happened in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial primary developments 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 introduced 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 revealed 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 affected belief and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
Charting Regional Market Strategy for 2026Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, keeping positive development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the broader area and international financial unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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