Digital Inclusion

The Kingdom of Bahrain has made significant strides in enhancing digital inclusion through various initiatives and strategies. Central to these efforts is the commitment to making Internet and public data open and accessible to all, fostering a future-oriented society where digital inclusivity is paramount.

Bahrain’s commitment to digital inclusion is to complete its efforts towards comprehensive digital transformation and ensure that every citizen and resident, regardless of their background, age, gender, or social status, can access and benefit from the digital world. This initiative is not just about connecting people to technology; it's about integrating digital access into the fabric of everyday life of people, making it a human right.

Furthermore, Bahrain's approach to digital inclusion goes beyond just providing access; it's about ensuring that digital services are affordable, user-friendly, and relevant to the needs of all segments of society. By doing so, Bahrain is not only keeping pace with global technological trends but also ensuring that these advancements are equitably shared among its population, thereby contributing to a more connected, informed, and empowered society. This is evident in several key areas:

Public Service Redesign and Digital Infrastructure: The Bahraini government is continuously working on redesigning its service delivery based on the Digital First principle. This approach streamlines user experiences through effective digital technologies that cater to the needs of all members of society. For instance, initiatives like the Sijilat (One-stop-shop Business Licensing Portal) and the National Taxation System utilize cloud technology for efficient service delivery.

Digital Government Strategy 2022: This strategy focuses on comprehensive digital transformation, with an emphasis on data-centric transformation. It includes strengthening digital infrastructure, fostering a digital economy, and ensuring the enforcement of policies and regulations that protect against cyber risks. The strategy also aims to encourage innovation, nurture entrepreneurship, and promote transparency through open data and eParticipation.

Nation-wide Digital Identity Initiatives: The Kingdom is focusing on advanced digital identity and management initiatives, emphasizing people, processes, technology, and governance. The National Enterprise Architecture Framework (NEA) and the National Gateway Infrastructure are examples of efforts to integrate government systems and improve service delivery.

Data Management and Cybersecurity: Bahrain is committed to managing data accurately, securely, and in a manner that respects individuals' rights. Legislation like the Personal Data Protection Law and the establishment of the Personal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) play crucial roles in defining how data is managed. Additionally, the National Centre for Cyber Security strengthens the nation's response to cyber threats.

Fostering a Digital Economy: Through its Digital Economy Strategy, the government aims to diversify the national economy by generating value-added services and products. This includes developing strong digital capacities and ecosystems to adapt to global trends.

Open Data and eParticipation: The Kingdom is enhancing its Open Data Portal and eParticipation tools to improve communication between citizens, businesses, and government entities. These tools are crucial for civic engagement and strengthening accountability and transparency.

These initiatives collectively contribute to Bahrain's vision of a digitally inclusive society, where technology serves as a bridge to connect and empower its citizens and residents.

For more detailed information on Bahrain's digital inclusion efforts, you can visit the Kingdom of Bahrain National Portal.

Telecommunications Highlights in Bahrain:

• Bahrain is the first Gulf country to adopt a nation-wide ‘cloud-first’ policy.
• Bahrain ranked 1st globally for digital literacy based on the 2021 Inclusive Internet Index.
• Bahrain also achieved the top position globally in Network Infrastructure and Internet 1+users in the 2021 Inclusive Internet Index.
• As a founding member of the Digital Cooperation Organization, Bahrain is dedicated to advancing digital cooperation, enabling prosperity for all, and addressing the challenges posed by the global pandemic.
• Bahrain became a member of the International Telecommunications Union Council in 2022 and committed to 10 pledges as part of the ITU Partner to Connect Global Coalition.
• The nationwide implementation of 5G services in Bahrain, with download speeds exceeding 2Gbps, showcases its status as one of the first countries in the world to achieve this technological milestone (2020).