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Notify technique with proof: Use independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client need to guide your tactical instructions. Validate investment strategies: Ensure resource allowance and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA 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 Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces global 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 plans to a minimum of double annual United States investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new month-to-month conference room dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board specialists to analyze the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber strength Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Moderator 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 straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies trustworthy female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to sign up with the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the newest insights, trends, and techniques delivered directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the leading edge of what's next.
Total possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs delivering 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 favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF substantially surpassed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allocation instead of broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring in new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while decreasing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained constant, 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 occurred in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without significant main developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area stays resilient and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international luxury and consumer 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 affected sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Choosing the Right Hybrid Outsourcing Design for 2026In spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, keeping positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the wider region and global economic uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now limited their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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