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Notify technique with evidence: Use independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client need to guide your strategic instructions. Confirm financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly 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 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces global financial ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'really quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double annual US financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are going into a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new month-to-month conference room 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 brings together board practitioners to take a look at the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber strength Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Mediator 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, danger oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, patterns, and strategies provided straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
Overall properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related assets succeeded for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized 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 throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive 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 delivered 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 posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually 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, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without substantial primary developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area remains durable and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international luxury and consumer 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 introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
UAE Talent Retention: Moving Past the Golden Visa BuzzRegardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, maintaining favorable growth momentum in current years. While conflicts in the broader region and worldwide financial unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have so far restricted their impact on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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