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Inform strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, development, and customer demand to direct your tactical instructions. Confirm investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant 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)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces global economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'extremely soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double yearly United States investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," 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 increasingly 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 partnership with BusinessDay, is releasing a new regular monthly conference room discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest 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 agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber resilience Long-term worth development 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 Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and expands 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 latest insights, patterns, and techniques delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation phase, with activity staying raised but development slowing. Overall assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. Global 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 throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable 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 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 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 cautious policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF significantly outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allowance instead of broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products attracting brand-new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while lowering or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without considerable main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global high-end and customer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
In spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, maintaining favorable growth momentum in recent years. While disputes in the wider region and international financial uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their impact on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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