All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
Inform technique with proof: Use independent data on market self-confidence, development, and customer need to guide your strategic direction. Verify investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise 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 Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens international financial ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'extremely quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly United States financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In response, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly boardroom dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to analyze the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting worth development 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 tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reputable 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 sign up with the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the latest insights, patterns, and methods provided straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.
The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity remaining elevated but development slowing. Total properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil related assets succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Essential Tips for Operational Excellence in DubaiEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil rates, as well as 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 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 wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF considerably outperformed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation instead of broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while lowering or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without substantial main productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area stays resilient and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic 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 progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually affected sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Leading the 2026 Regional Economic Environment for LeadersIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, keeping favorable growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the broader region and worldwide economic unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now limited their impact on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
Latest Posts
Emerging Future Shifts Shaping the 2026 GCC Market
Driving Dubai Industrial Growth through Strategy
How to Utilize Market Intelligence for Success


