Following the directives of His Excellency General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT), the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) has launched the “Global Digital Twinning for eGovernment Excellence” initiative. This initiative is part of Bahrain’s pilot programme with the United Nations, aimed at enhancing international collaboration by sharing Bahrain’s expertise in digital governance with partner countries.
The launch event, chaired by Mohamed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of iGA, was attended by representatives from Tunisia and the Comoros. The programme highlighted Bahrain’s impressive achievements in digital transformation and eGovernment, including its 18th position globally in the 2024 UN E-Government Survey and a high ranking on the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI).
Al Qaed emphasized Bahrain’s key role in advancing the programme, which aims to strengthen the kingdom’s leadership in global digital transformation. He noted its potential to drive innovation, improve governance, and expand access to government services worldwide, with hopes for additional countries to join in support of global digital excellence.
Al Qaed provided an overview of the iGA’s achievements, including the integration of over 750 government services on Bahrain’s digital portal, bahrain.bh, and the launch of over 15 mobile apps, such as eTraffic, Sehati, and Mawaeed, available via the Government App Store at bahrain.bh/apps.
He also highlighted several key systems driving Bahrain’s digital transformation, such as the Sijilat system, which integrates licensing and approval processes into a single platform, simplifying procedures for businesses and investors. Additionally, the Benayat system streamlines building permit procedures, boosting investment in the real estate sector.
Al Qaed further detailed the national appointment system, which allows users to book appointments at service centres, and the Tawasul platform for citizen feedback. He noted that more than 13 services are now available through self-service kiosks, achieving 90% digitalisation, reducing costs by the same percentage, and saving an estimated 68% in time and effort.
The iGA’s use of technologies like cloud computing, AI, and big data to improve service quality was also discussed, along with digital strategies, policies, and strategic partnerships that advance Bahrain’s efforts. The Open Data Platform, data.gov.bh, was highlighted as a key initiative promoting public participation through the availability of reliable data.
Efforts to improve customer service were also discussed, including the role of the Government Service Centre Evaluation Committee in encouraging government entities to enhance service centres and adopt digital solutions. Al Qaed emphasized the importance of the Technical Development Programme, which fosters innovation and develops young talent in the tech sector.
iGA officials also shared insights into the authority’s digital transformation initiatives, including system development, service reengineering, and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and advanced technologies. The visiting delegation also toured key locations such as the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain FinTech Bay, and the BENEFIT Company to learn about the Sijilat system, FinTech initiatives, and payment systems in Bahrain.
