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Inform strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to assist your strategic direction. Verify financial investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in 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 Countries (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 programme enhances international financial ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'really 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 years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is releasing a new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board professionals to take a look at the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber resilience Long-lasting worth production and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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Overall assets 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 release. International macro conditions set a tough background.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in new capital.
Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without substantial main productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area stays resistant and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and customer brands. 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 anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, keeping positive development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and global financial unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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