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Notify strategy with evidence: Use independent information on market confidence, growth, and client need to direct your strategic instructions. Verify investment strategies: Ensure resource allocation and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take definitive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In action, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board professionals to take a look at the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, threat oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating online forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Total possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. International macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of products.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than 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 throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst higher oil rates, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency 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 improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without substantial primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area stays durable and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Developing a High-Performance Culture in the UAE for 2026Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, keeping positive growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and international economic unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually so far limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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