Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Bahrain’s internet users now benefit from triple the upload speeds and faster downloads after regulators mandated higher entry-level fibre speeds. The move strengthens Bahrain’s digital infrastructure, improves user experience, and supports innovation in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Bahrain has rolled out WE-Elevate, a DCO program to empower female-led MSMEs with digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills. By combining training, mentorship, and e-commerce tools, the initiative helps firms scale globally, close gender gaps in digital leadership, and contribute to inclusive economic growth across DCO Member States.
AIONOS and ACME have signed a strategic alliance to boost AI adoption in Bahrain, aligned with Vision 2030. The partnership will target key sectors including healthcare, education, and manufacturing, aiming to empower businesses, accelerate digital transformation, and position Bahrain as a hub for innovation and sustainable growth.
Figure AI has raised over $1 billion in Series C funding, reaching a $39 billion valuation. The round, led by Parkway and supported by Brookfield, NVIDIA, Salesforce, Intel, and others, highlights growing global confidence in humanoid robotics. Arcapita’s role underscores regional investors’ leadership in frontier AI technologies.
Zain Bahrain has launched its flagship accelerator programme, Zain Great Idea (ZGI), in the kingdom for the first time. The initiative begins with an intensive Boot Camp for Bahraini tech entrepreneurs, offering training, mentorship, and workshops. One finalist startup will ultimately secure a transformative experience in Silicon Valley.
Bahrain ranked fifth globally for mobile internet speed in 2025, achieving an average download speed of 233.22 Mbps, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. The result underscores the Kingdom’s strong digital infrastructure investments and its position as a regional leader in connectivity and technological innovation.
Bahrain’s Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa attended the graduation of the second batch of the Technical Workforce Development Program, highlighting its role in preparing Bahraini ICT talent. He praised leadership support, urged national engagement in technology, and reaffirmed the initiative’s importance in advancing digital transformation.
Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, joined SMIC 2025 in Jeddah, reaffirming Bahrain’s commitment to sustainable maritime transport. He emphasized innovation, digitisation, green shipping corridors, and regional cooperation as key to enhancing efficiency, security, and environmental responsibility in the global maritime sector.
Bahrain concluded the fifth Young Tech Entrepreneur Programme, recognising participants aged 16–25 for their innovative projects and entrepreneurial spirit. The event also honoured key sponsors and partners for supporting the initiative, reinforcing the kingdom’s commitment to nurturing future leaders in technology and business.
Solidarity Bahrain has become the first insurer in the kingdom to integrate eKey 2.0, enabling biometric and facial recognition login for seamless, secure access. The move boosts fraud prevention, simplifies digital transactions, and aligns with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 digital transformation strategy.