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Notify strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer need to assist your strategic direction. Verify financial investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive 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 between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Raise 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 Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," 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 prepares to a minimum of double yearly US investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is releasing a new monthly 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 specialists to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity remaining raised however growth slowing down. Total assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute 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 also dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially outperformed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products bring in brand-new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.

Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without significant primary creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure concentrated on worldwide 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 anticipated to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed 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 impacted sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
How Is Business Excellence Vital for Future Expansion?Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping positive development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the larger area and international financial unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually so far restricted their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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