Bahrain has completed six key initiatives under the National Digital Economy Strategy (NDES), a framework that supports the kingdom’s ambition to become a leading digital economy in the region.
The announcement underscores King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies to transform government services and strengthen Bahrain’s position as a hub for digital innovation.
The strategy is guided by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and overseen by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT).
Driving Bahrain’s digital economic leadership
Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), said that AI is a cornerstone of the kingdom’s innovation drive and critical to achieving sustainable growth and prosperity.
He confirmed that the six completed projects form part of the first phase of the NDES, which includes nine short-term initiatives out of a total of 49 planned through 2030.
These efforts reflect the government’s vision to apply the highest digital standards, attract investment, and ensure integration across sectors while delivering smarter, more efficient public services.
AI and emerging technologies at the core
Among the key achievements is the establishment of Bahrain’s first official AI and emerging technologies unit, represented by the Innovation and Advanced Technologies Directorate within the iGA.
The new directorate develops national policies for emerging technologies and supports government entities in adopting AI across projects and services.
Another major initiative involves expanding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) scholarships, a programme led by the Ministry of Education, which accounted for over 84 per cent of total scholarships in the 2023/2024 academic year.
In partnership with the National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC), Bahrain also completed a project aligning the NDES with the National Cybersecurity Strategy, alongside other cross-government initiatives focused on safety, resilience, and data protection.
Building a connected, competitive economy
Al Qaed said these initial projects are part of Bahrain’s first comprehensive digital strategy for both the public and private sectors, supporting sustainable growth across financial services, tourism, industry, IT, logistics, and healthcare.
He added that the initiatives strengthen Bahrain’s position as a connected and competitive economic hub, contributing to a borderless digital economy and advancing long-term prosperity.
Al Qaed confirmed that the iGA’s strategy implementation team is working with stakeholders to launch additional initiatives across priority sectors in the next phase.
The team will monitor progress, evaluate impact, and ensure each project delivers measurable value to Bahrain’s wider economy.
