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Notify technique with evidence: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and customer need to direct your tactical instructions. Verify investment plans: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement 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 In 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 worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical contracts," 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 prepares to a minimum of double annual US financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new monthly boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board professionals to analyze the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: 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, danger oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated but development slowing down. Overall possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant brand-new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized 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). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Overall, the information shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific country direct exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of higher oil prices, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided 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 published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute 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 faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without significant main developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area stays resistant and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress 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 sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Comprehending the Subtleties of Omani Labor and Tax LawsRegardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, maintaining favorable growth momentum in recent years. While disputes in the wider area and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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