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Inform strategy with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and customer need to direct your strategic instructions. Confirm investment plans: Guarantee resource allowance and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to take a look at the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber resilience Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to 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 straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Overall possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated possessions did well for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 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 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 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 tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, 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 occurred in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without substantial primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the area stays resistant and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific 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 actually impacted belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, preserving favorable development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider region and global financial uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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