Navigating the 2026 GCC Business Environment for Leaders

Notify strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, growth, and client need to guide your strategic direction. Validate financial investment plans: Ensure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take definitive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant 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) 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 complimentary trade pact 'extremely quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double annual United States 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, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards throughout Africa are going into a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a 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 Climb Club.

Why Is Business Excellence Vital for 2026 Growth?

This inaugural session combines board specialists to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber durability Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly 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 reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.

4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to sign up with the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, trends, and techniques delivered straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.

Why Is Operational Excellence Crucial for 2026 Expansion?

Total possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.

The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. 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 idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular nation exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst greater oil rates, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.

Ways to Leverage Market Research for Growth

Egypt delivered 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 favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector likewise dealt with wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products drawing in brand-new capital.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How Is Operational Excellence Vital for Future Expansion?

Trading activity stayed stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary developments or redemptions.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brand names. 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 conflict has impacted belief and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.

Despite continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, preserving positive growth momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and global financial unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually so far restricted their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.