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Notify strategy with evidence: Use independent data on market confidence, growth, and client demand to direct your tactical direction. Verify investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up confident choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take definitive action.

Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a new month-to-month conference room discussion convening 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 unites board professionals to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber strength Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Mediator 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, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances reputable 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 sign up with the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, patterns, and methods provided straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity remaining raised however growth slowing. Total possessions held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated possessions succeeded for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided 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 between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting new capital.

Trading activity remained consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without significant primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resistant and well capitalized to deal with the circumstance.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
How to Leverage GCC Research for GrowthIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the larger region and international financial uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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