All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
Inform strategy with proof: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to direct your strategic instructions. Confirm financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allocation and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract 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 Declaration on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces global economic ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'extremely quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly United States investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board specialists to examine the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber strength Long-lasting worth creation and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent 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 an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
Get the current insights, patterns, and techniques provided directly to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity staying elevated however development slowing. Total assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. 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. 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 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 also faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without considerable primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Despite continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, preserving favorable growth momentum recently. While disputes in the larger area and global economic uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
Latest Posts
Essential GCC Business Research Trends for 2026
Industrial Excellence: a Strategic Pillar for Regional Growth
Charting GCC Corporate Strategy in 2026


