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Notify method with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and customer need to assist your strategic direction. Verify financial investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances global financial ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double annual US investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a new regular monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board specialists to examine the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber strength Long-lasting worth creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices 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 a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies reputable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation stage, with activity remaining elevated but growth slowing down. Total properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated assets succeeded for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.
Driving Dubai Industrial Expansion through Operational ExcellenceEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country 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 brand-new highs amid greater oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
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 published favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items drawing in brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected belief and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Driving Dubai Industrial Expansion through Operational ExcellenceIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, maintaining positive development momentum in recent years. While conflicts in the wider region and worldwide financial uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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