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Notify technique with proof: Usage independent information on market confidence, development, and client need to guide your strategic direction. Validate investment strategies: Make sure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In 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) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic contracts," 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 plans to at least double yearly US investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly boardroom dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board specialists to take a look at the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber durability Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator 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 straight to governance, threat oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Overall possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil related properties succeeded for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved 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). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive 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 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 faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resilient and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on international high-end 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 last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, maintaining favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the broader region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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