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Inform method with proof: Usage independent information on market confidence, growth, and client need to direct your tactical instructions. Validate investment plans: Guarantee resource allocation and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board practitioners to examine the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards need to 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, risk oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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Overall properties held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil associated properties did well for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable 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 provided strong efficiency in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, enabling investors to change positions without considerable main developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region stays durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and worldwide financial uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have so far restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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