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Inform strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to guide your strategic direction. Confirm financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact '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," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new month-to-month conference room dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board practitioners to analyze the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber strength Long-term worth development 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 an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately developing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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Total possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil associated possessions did well for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance throughout the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Why 2026 Is the Year of Specific Niche Outsourcing ModelsEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country direct exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst higher oil rates, along with 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 continuous 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 careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allocation instead of broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while decreasing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without substantial primary creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Why 2026 Is the Year of Specific Niche Outsourcing ModelsIn spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, maintaining positive development momentum recently. While conflicts in the larger area and international financial uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have up until now limited their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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