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Notify method with evidence: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to guide your tactical instructions. Confirm investment strategies: Make sure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take decisive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to examine the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator 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, danger oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated however growth slowing down. Total assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant brand-new capital release. Global 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 related assets did well for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing 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 small subset of items.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs in the middle of higher oil prices, along with its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have improved 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 careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF considerably surpassed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products bring in new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while minimizing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without significant primary productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on international high-end and customer brands. 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 introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, preserving positive development momentum in current years. While conflicts in the larger area and worldwide economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually so far restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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