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The Qatar Investment Authority and Franklin Templeton announced on February 12, 2026, the launch of the Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund with an initial size of $200 million to provide institutional investors access to equities listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange. QIA is acting as anchor investor by contributing cash and stock to the daily-dealing mutual fund, which will be actively managed by Franklin Templeton with its $1.68 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.
In a statement, the Qatar Investment Authority said the fund expands its Active Asset Management Initiative, first established in 2024 through a partnership with Ashmore Group to strengthen Qatar’s investment ecosystem. A subsequent $200 million equity fund with Fiera Capital followed in June 2025, making the Franklin Templeton fund the third in the series. The initiative targets alliances with leading global asset managers that possess expertise in the GCC region along with qualifying local firms.
Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QIA, said in the announcement, “With the launch of Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund, QIA is further expanding our Active Asset Management Initiative to support Qatar’s financial markets. As one of the largest global asset managers, Franklin Templeton brings a wealth of experience and resources to QSE and the broader Qatari economy and we look forward to working closely together on this initiative.” The CEO noted QIA remains a committed long-term investor in the Qatar equity market.
Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton, said in the statement, “The launch of this fund marks an important milestone in Franklin Templeton’s long-standing commitment to Qatar and its capital markets, building on more than 25 years of investing across the Middle East, supported by on-the-ground portfolio managers and research teams. Through our partnership with QIA, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of the Qatari financial ecosystem. We see this collaboration as the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership and part of a broader, multi-asset collaboration between Franklin Templeton and QIA.” The announcement positioned the fund as highlighting the partnership in advancing Qatar’s capital markets.
Data from Trading Economics showed Qatar’s QE Index at 10,446 points on June 22, 2026, reflecting a 0.33 percent daily decline but remaining 1.10 percent higher than a year earlier. The Qatar Stock Exchange reported marginal gains for the second consecutive month in May 2026, with the QSE 20 index closing at 10,555 after a 0.6 percent increase. According to QSE CEO Abdullah Mohammed Al Ansari, listed companies delivered stable performance in a challenging global environment, with a strong pipeline of listings expected throughout 2026.
The Qatar Investment Authority was established in 2005 to protect and grow the country’s financial assets while helping to diversify the economy. Franklin Templeton has maintained a presence in the Middle East since 2000 with dedicated on-the-ground teams. The new fund builds on the firm’s existing regional investment activities.
QIA’s reallocation of QSE-listed company shares to the fund is intended to enhance market liquidity. The vehicle will be available to both international and local institutions. This marks the latest development in coordination between QIA and Franklin Templeton on multi-asset initiatives across the region.
