The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) have announced a strategic partnership to introduce the first Mastercard Strive program in the Middle East. This initiative aims to boost the financial and digital readiness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bahrain, empowering local entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and contribute to inclusive economic growth.
The collaboration will explore a scalable model to support Bahraini SMEs, reinforcing Bahrain’s leadership in SME development within the region. The Mastercard Strive program, already active in several countries, has assisted over 12 million small businesses worldwide since its launch in 2020 by providing access to capital, digital tools, and knowledge networks. If adopted in Bahrain, this will be the program’s first implementation in the Middle East, expanding its global reach and regional impact.
His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy, emphasized the significance of the initiative during his keynote address at the 2025 Global Inclusive Growth Summit (GIGS), highlighting Bahrain’s continued efforts to support SMEs as key drivers of economic growth. He stated, “This partnership with Mastercard will enable SMEs in Bahrain to utilize financial and digital tools, enhancing operations and boosting productivity.”
The partnership aligns with Tamkeen’s 2025 strategic priorities, which focus on strengthening Bahrainis’ competitiveness in the private sector, accelerating digitization, sustainability, and improving the labor market ecosystem.
According to the Bahrain 2023 Economic Report, SMEs represent 93% of all enterprises in the Kingdom. Of these, 79% are Bahraini-owned, 40% are owned by women, and 25% are led by young people. SMEs contributed to 10% of Bahrain’s total exports and employed over 44,000 Bahrainis in 2023.
Shamina Singh, Founder and President of Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “We know small businesses are the backbone of the global economy. Through Mastercard Strive, we are thrilled to partner with Bahrain and Tamkeen to help Bahrainis thrive in the private sector, building their skills in financial and digital readiness.”
