Bahrain is doubling down on its position as a regional financial hub, with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) set to increase its investment in financial technology threefold over the next three years.
The major commitment was revealed at the fourth edition of FinTech Forward 2026 held at Exhibition World Bahrain, where top ministers, regulators, and industry leaders gathered to address the future of intelligent financial infrastructure.
Opening the flagship event, Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa declared that the world has entered an era driven by intelligence, where artificial intelligence, digital payments and stablecoins are reshaping global finance.
With global unbanked figures still standing at 1.3 billion despite high mobile penetration, Shaikh Salman called for international collaboration to bridge the digital financial divide.
He also revealed that more than 60 new partnerships are set to be announced during this year’s forum, emphasising that regulations must remain ‘clear, proportionate, and open to change’ to balance innovation with systemic security.
Echoing these remarks during a high-level fireside chat, CBB Governor Khalid Humaidan highlighted that digital transformation completely changes the traditional trade-off between growth and stability, allowing both to co-exist through tech-enabled supervisory technology (SupTech) and AI.
Mr Humaidan also noted that financial services currently account for roughly 20 per cent of Bahrain’s GDP, a market share expected to remain consistent over the next decade as the wider economy expands and diversifies.
Meanwhile, Sustainable Development Minister and Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) chief executive oofficer Noor Al Khulaif pointed out that local talent now makes up approximately 70pc of the kingdom’s financial sector workforce.
Speaking at a media briefing, Ms Al Khulaif emphasised Bahrain’s rapid adaptation to global market shifts, pointing out that foreign investors continue to view the kingdom as a resilient, agile landing pad for scaling innovation.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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