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Inform strategy with proof: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to guide your strategic instructions. Verify investment plans: Make sure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take decisive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation 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 program strengthens international economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'really 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 years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new regular monthly boardroom discussion assembling 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 brings together board specialists to examine the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber resilience Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Moderator 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, risk oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a repeating online forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies credible female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Total possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a challenging background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil associated assets did well for the a lot of part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, two more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 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 decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. In spite of 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 improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in brand-new capital.

Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without substantial main productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the area remains durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end and consumer 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 last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and international economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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