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Notify method with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to assist your strategic direction. Confirm investment plans: Guarantee resource allocation and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement 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 Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances international financial ties with 26 strategic contracts," 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 US 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, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In action, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a new month-to-month conference room discussion 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 professionals to analyze the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-lasting value creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: 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 straight to governance, threat oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging background.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total 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. In general, the information shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Key Benefits of Strategic Excellence for the GCCEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular country direct exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil prices, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
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 favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably exceeded. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allowance instead of broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring in brand-new capital. This shows that investors were targeting specific direct exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without significant primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region stays resilient and well capitalized to deal with the circumstance.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on global luxury 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 expected to release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Achieving Process Excellence in Dubai's Industrial SectorRegardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, keeping positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the larger region and global financial uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far limited their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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