Bahrain yesterday unveiled an ambitious vision of a technology-powered future as ministers, top executives and regional experts gathered to showcase how the kingdom is rapidly transforming into one of the Gulf’s most advanced smart and sustainable urban hubs.
The message came during the opening of the ninth edition of the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2026 at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention and Spa in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
Senior ministers used the high-profile gathering to present Bahrain’s accelerating transformation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, housing innovation, sustainability and smart public services, while private sector leaders unveiled major future investment commitments.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak said the idea of smart cities had evolved dramatically since the conference first launched in 2016.
“When we launched the first edition, smart cities were largely about future technological possibilities,” he said. “Today the picture is completely different. Digital technology has become part of everyday life, while data, artificial intelligence and smart systems are now practical tools helping governments improve planning, decision-making, service delivery and resource management.”
He stressed Bahrain’s transformation was not driven by isolated initiatives.
“What has been achieved is the result of an integrated national vision built on co-operation between government institutions and the private sector, always placing citizens at the centre of development.”
Meanwhile, Sustainable Development Minister and Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) chief executive officer Noor Al Khulaif revealed Bahrain is preparing to present its Third Voluntary National Review before the United Nations next month, highlighting the kingdom’s progress on sustainable development goals.
“Smart cities are closely connected to several global sustainability goals,” she said.
“Bahrain has adopted an integrated smart city concept aimed at building communities capable of responding to present and future needs while improving quality of life through digital infrastructure, innovation and smarter government systems.”
She added Bahrain was also modernising historic districts by combining preservation of heritage with sustainable urban technologies, helping attract tourism, entrepreneurship and investment.
Private sector giant Naseej BSC used the summit to announce fresh expansion plans.
Chief executive officer Amin Al Arrayed said the developer remained fully committed to helping government deliver 50,000 new homes for Bahrainis, following previous success delivering more than 2,600 homes in partnership with the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry.
He also revealed a new agreement signed with the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry and Chinese partner CMEC to help develop 2,500 housing units in Khalifa Town under Bahrain’s Government Land Development Programme.
The summit also highlighted how Bahrain is increasingly blending technology with sustainability, quality of life and economic diversification as competition intensifies among Gulf states racing to build the cities of tomorrow.
Officials said the summit, which ends today, underlined Bahrain’s determination to place innovation, sustainability and digital transformation at the centre of its long-term national development strategy.
Smart City Awards 2026 Winners:
- AIoT Innovation Award – Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) – National Electricity and Water Networks Control Centre.
- Artificial Intelligence in Fintech Award – Bahrain Islamic Bank – Smart Banking Adviser powered by AI using over 1,800 Sharia references.
- Digital Identity Innovation Award – Information and eGovernment Authority – Electronic Key 2.0 national biometric digital identity platform.
- Digital Real Estate Services Innovation Award – Eskan Bank – Bayti integrated digital property platform.
- Smart Housing Innovation Award – Naseej BSC – Nasayim Arad Smart Villas Project.
- Smart Public Safety Innovation Award – Interior Ministry – National Emergency Alerts System.
&uuid=(email))