Information and Communication Technology
A compact and interconnected ecosystem brings together a wide range of IT companies in Bahrain in the areas of IT services, IT distribution, IT consulting, data management systems, software development and customer support centres. Bahrain is ranked first in ICT readiness by the World Economic Forum. Bahrain offers the most competitive and affordable environment for technology and innovation businesses in the region
Bahrain is the complete package of technology and innovation
Bahrain is the gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council region, offering direct access to Saudi Arabia and other regional markets. Global IT companies choose Bahrain as a hub due to talent availability, cost competitiveness, ownership structure and strategic location.
Cloud traffic in the MENA region is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, at 41 per cent year-on-year. As the first Gulf country to adopt a nationwide cloud policy, Bahrain is ideally positioned to capitalise on the ICT opportunities this trend is creating in areas such as business service outsourcing , cybersecurity , digital entertainment, gaming and e-commerce, commerce.
Bahrain offers internet bandwidth to connect to regional hubs in the MENA region, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. With strong market conditions created by high mobile penetration, the development of commercial 5G and a business-friendly regulatory environment, Bahrain offers an ideal testing ground for communications technology companies looking to capitalise on a region undergoing rapid digital transformation and technological advancement.
Business-friendly regulatory environment
100%
Bahrain offers foreign investors in the ICT sector 100% business ownership
0%
Bahrain also offers 0% tax (corporate and personal tax), making it the most liberal tax regime in the Gulf.
Excellent Internet and networking capabilities
4
Underwater fibre optic systems
2
Terrestrial dark fibre systems
4th place in the world
Internet users (based on the IMD 2022 World Competitiveness Index)
6th place in the world
In terms of telecoms investment (based on world competitiveness ranking - IMD 2022)
As a pioneer in the region, Bahrain is ready to welcome more ICT and communication technology companies and help them thrive.
Market Access
Bahrain is at the heart of the Gulf, providing fast and efficient access to the US$3.7 trillion MENA market and major neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia.
The total value of the Middle East ICT market in 2020 was valued at USD 160 billion (Gartner). Thus, the region presents various opportunities for information and communication technologies in various sectors including:
Cloud (data centre and software as a service)
19%
Annual growth rate of cloud data centre traffic by 2024.
Information Security
$6.93 million
According to a 2020 study by Ponemon Institute and IBM Security, the average cost of a data breach incident incurred per company in the Middle East is $6.93 million, well above the global average, opening up opportunities for cybersecurity firms.
7,92%
The MENA cybersecurity market is expected to grow at an average CAGR of 7.92% during the forecast period 2021-2026.
Gaming and digital media
$821 million
The estimated size of the GCC gaming industry, which is expected to reach 1.5% of the global gaming market revenue by 2025.
12,1%
The Middle East gaming market is expected to grow at an average CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period 2021-2026.
E-commerce
48.6 bn
E-commerce sales in the MENA region are expected to reach $48.6bn by 2022.
48%
Internet users in the Middle East shop online.
Business Services
190 SSC.
MENA is home to more than 190 shared service centres.
41%
GCC outsourcing market to grow 41% to $1.86bn by 2021
Readily available commercial office space at address:
Serviced offices:
Planting sites/incubators:
Human Capital Centre
Whether you are starting a business or developing a product, the right people are key to success. A centre of skilled professionals with exceptional talent, Bahrain is ranked 2nd among Arab countries in the World Bank's 2020 Human Capital Index. According to the ITU's Digital Trends in the Arab Region report, the digital-born country is also ranked 1st among Gulf countries for computer programming talent. Globally, Bahrain is ranked 1st for women's digital skills and STEM education based on Facebook and The Economist Internet Inclusive Report for 2021.
Bahrain offers ICT and communications technology companies a ready talent pool from which to build diverse and talented teams.
As a result of Bahrain's liberal business environment and visa system, companies can hire teams of local and international employees to better serve their regional customers.
Bahrain is ranked #1 in the world for digital literacy (based on the Inclusive Internet Index 2021)
Discover Bahrain's strengths, sector by sector!
Bahrain offers an ideal location for ICT and other communications technology companies to access the fast-growing Middle East and Gulf markets in key sectors. From cloud computing companies to digital entertainment businesses and internet security providers, Bahrain offers a wealth of growth opportunities.
The cost of living in Bahrain is currently 23 per cent lower than in the GCC (KPMG). Bahrain is also ranked as the 5th best place in the world to live and work according to the HSBC Expat Survey 2019 and is ranked 1st in the world for achievement and work-life balance.
Additional Resources
A selection of ICT sector resources and data that you can download and read at your convenience.
ICT Factsheet
An overview and newsletter of the ICT sector in Bahrain, outlining how Bahrain has become a leading destination for IT business and communications technology opportunities.
ICT industry in Bahrain
A detailed overview of the strengths of Bahrain's ICT sector, including high demand for mobile data, applications and services; widespread regional internet usage; and a strong ICT ecosystem.
Sabre
An in-depth look at why Sabre, an airline and hotel software, data, mobile and distribution solutions company, decided to locate its regional headquarters in Bahrain.
Elite
A detailed look at why Bahrain was the ideal location for Elite Technologies to expand as a business specialising in digital information services and systems.
A compact and interconnected ecosystem brings together a wide range of IT companies in Bahrain in the areas of IT services, IT distribution, IT consulting, data management systems, software development and customer support centres. Bahrain is ranked first in ICT readiness by the World Economic Forum. Bahrain offers the most competitive and affordable environment for technology and innovation businesses in the region
Bahrain is the complete package of technology and innovation
Bahrain is the gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council region, offering direct access to Saudi Arabia and other regional markets. Global IT companies choose Bahrain as a hub due to talent availability, cost competitiveness, ownership structure and strategic location.
Cloud traffic in the MENA region is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, at 41 per cent year-on-year. As the first Gulf country to adopt a nationwide cloud policy, Bahrain is ideally positioned to capitalise on the ICT opportunities this trend is creating in areas such as business service outsourcing , cybersecurity , digital entertainment, gaming and e-commerce, commerce.
Bahrain offers internet bandwidth to connect to regional hubs in the MENA region, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. With strong market conditions created by high mobile penetration, the development of commercial 5G and a business-friendly regulatory environment, Bahrain offers an ideal testing ground for communications technology companies looking to capitalise on a region undergoing rapid digital transformation and technological advancement.
Business-friendly regulatory environment
100%
Bahrain offers foreign investors in the ICT sector 100% business ownership
0%
Bahrain also offers 0% tax (corporate and personal tax), making it the most liberal tax regime in the Gulf.
Excellent Internet and networking capabilities
4
Underwater fibre optic systems
2
Terrestrial dark fibre systems
4th place in the world
Internet users (based on the IMD 2022 World Competitiveness Index)
6th place in the world
In terms of telecoms investment (based on world competitiveness ranking - IMD 2022)
As a pioneer in the region, Bahrain is ready to welcome more ICT and communication technology companies and help them thrive.
Market Access
Bahrain is at the heart of the Gulf, providing fast and efficient access to the US$3.7 trillion MENA market and major neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia.
The total value of the Middle East ICT market in 2020 was valued at USD 160 billion (Gartner). Thus, the region presents various opportunities for information and communication technologies in various sectors including:
Cloud (data centre and software as a service)
19%
Annual growth rate of cloud data centre traffic by 2024.
Information Security
$6.93 million
According to a 2020 study by Ponemon Institute and IBM Security, the average cost of a data breach incident incurred per company in the Middle East is $6.93 million, well above the global average, opening up opportunities for cybersecurity firms.
7,92%
The MENA cybersecurity market is expected to grow at an average CAGR of 7.92% during the forecast period 2021-2026.
Gaming and digital media
$821 million
The estimated size of the GCC gaming industry, which is expected to reach 1.5% of the global gaming market revenue by 2025.
12,1%
The Middle East gaming market is expected to grow at an average CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period 2021-2026.
E-commerce
48.6 bn
E-commerce sales in the MENA region are expected to reach $48.6bn by 2022.
48%
Internet users in the Middle East shop online.
Business Services
190 SSC.
MENA is home to more than 190 shared service centres.
41%
GCC outsourcing market to grow 41% to $1.86bn by 2021
Readily available commercial office space at address:
- Financial Harbour
- Bahrain, World Trade Centre
- Bahrain's Financial Harbour, Al Moayed Tower, Tower
- Fakhrou
Serviced offices:
- Regus Alliance
- Servcorp
Planting sites/incubators:
- Brilliant Lab
- Brinc
- CH9
- Flat6Labs
Human Capital Centre
Whether you are starting a business or developing a product, the right people are key to success. A centre of skilled professionals with exceptional talent, Bahrain is ranked 2nd among Arab countries in the World Bank's 2020 Human Capital Index. According to the ITU's Digital Trends in the Arab Region report, the digital-born country is also ranked 1st among Gulf countries for computer programming talent. Globally, Bahrain is ranked 1st for women's digital skills and STEM education based on Facebook and The Economist Internet Inclusive Report for 2021.
Bahrain offers ICT and communications technology companies a ready talent pool from which to build diverse and talented teams.
As a result of Bahrain's liberal business environment and visa system, companies can hire teams of local and international employees to better serve their regional customers.
Bahrain is ranked #1 in the world for digital literacy (based on the Inclusive Internet Index 2021)
Discover Bahrain's strengths, sector by sector!
Bahrain offers an ideal location for ICT and other communications technology companies to access the fast-growing Middle East and Gulf markets in key sectors. From cloud computing companies to digital entertainment businesses and internet security providers, Bahrain offers a wealth of growth opportunities.
The cost of living in Bahrain is currently 23 per cent lower than in the GCC (KPMG). Bahrain is also ranked as the 5th best place in the world to live and work according to the HSBC Expat Survey 2019 and is ranked 1st in the world for achievement and work-life balance.
Additional Resources
A selection of ICT sector resources and data that you can download and read at your convenience.
ICT Factsheet
An overview and newsletter of the ICT sector in Bahrain, outlining how Bahrain has become a leading destination for IT business and communications technology opportunities.
ICT industry in Bahrain
A detailed overview of the strengths of Bahrain's ICT sector, including high demand for mobile data, applications and services; widespread regional internet usage; and a strong ICT ecosystem.
Sabre
An in-depth look at why Sabre, an airline and hotel software, data, mobile and distribution solutions company, decided to locate its regional headquarters in Bahrain.
Elite
A detailed look at why Bahrain was the ideal location for Elite Technologies to expand as a business specialising in digital information services and systems.