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Notify method with evidence: Use independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer demand to guide your strategic direction. Confirm financial investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement 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 Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens global economic ties with 26 strategic 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 prepares to a minimum of double annual US investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new month-to-month boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board practitioners to analyze the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership 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 Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a recurring forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical 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, trends, and techniques delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity remaining elevated however growth slowing. Total assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning 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 made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.
Will Dubai Sustain Industrial Growth through 2026?Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation direct exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid greater oil rates, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. Regardless 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 continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products drawing in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while decreasing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without substantial main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide high-end and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually affected belief and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local properties.
Despite continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, keeping favorable growth momentum in recent years. While conflicts in the broader area and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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