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Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer demand to direct your strategic direction. Confirm investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a new regular monthly boardroom dialogue 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 unites board specialists to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must 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 a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity remaining raised however development slowing down. Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. Global macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of products.
Fixing the Talent Retention Puzzle in the UAEPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided 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 favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF substantially exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance instead of broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items drawing in new capital. This suggests that investors were targeting specific exposures, while reducing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without substantial primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the region remains durable and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide 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 release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Fixing the Talent Retention Puzzle in the UAEIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, preserving positive growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the larger region and global economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far limited their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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