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Inform technique with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, growth, and client need to direct your tactical instructions. Validate investment strategies: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major 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 Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme reinforces international financial ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'really quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly United States financial investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a new month-to-month boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board practitioners to take a look at the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber durability Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: 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 straight to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a recurring online forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies trustworthy female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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Total assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable 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 delivered strong performance in January and February. Regardless of 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 actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items drawing in new capital.

Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without substantial main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international luxury and consumer brand names. 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 throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, preserving favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and worldwide financial uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far limited their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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