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Notify strategy with proof: Use independent information on market self-confidence, development, and client demand to direct your strategic direction. Verify investment strategies: Ensure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take definitive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (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 programme enhances international financial ties with 26 tactical agreements," 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 plans to at least double yearly United States investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a new month-to-month boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board professionals to take a look at the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber durability Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Moderator 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 tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully producing a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies 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 join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, patterns, and strategies delivered straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
Overall properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related assets succeeded for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items bring in brand-new capital.

Trading activity remained consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, maintaining positive development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and worldwide financial unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have so far limited their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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