The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth has entered a strategic partnership with Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) to launch initiatives aimed at enhancing financial and digital readiness for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bahrain. This collaboration will introduce Mastercard’s flagship program, Mastercard Strive, to the kingdom, equipping local businesses with essential tools for improved efficiency.
The partnership marks a pioneering step in the Middle East, with Bahrain becoming the first country to host the Mastercard Strive Project in the region. The collaboration aims to create a scalable model for inclusive economic growth, empowering SMEs and entrepreneurs while strengthening the private sector as a key driver of national development.
During his keynote address at the Global Inclusive Growth Summit (GIGS), Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, highlighted the importance of empowering SMEs to drive economic growth. He emphasized Bahrain’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for SMEs and expressed confidence that the partnership with Mastercard would help local businesses enhance productivity through financial and digital tools.
The initiative aligns with the vision of Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of Tamkeen, to support the workforce and SMEs in Bahrain. Notably, Tamkeen is also launching a major initiative to train 50,000 Bahrainis in artificial intelligence skills by 2030, aiming to equip the national workforce with the skills needed for career advancement in the private sector.
Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, CEO of Tamkeen, welcomed the partnership as a critical step in empowering SMEs to leverage digital transformation and drive business growth. “Mastercard Strive’s solutions will help Bahrain’s SMEs embrace digital tools, improve competitiveness, and future-proof their businesses,” she stated.
This partnership is part of Tamkeen’s broader strategic priorities for 2025, which focus on strengthening Bahrainis’ competitiveness, advancing enterprise growth, and fostering a sustainable ecosystem to support the private sector and labor market.
