By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Bahrain has risen to sixth
globally in the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT
Development Index, strengthening its position among the world’s most connected
economies as the country deepens its digital transformation agenda.
The development was
highlighted during a meeting between Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya and Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and
Telecommunications, H.E. Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, where they
discussed the country’s continued digital growth and its role as a valued DCO
Member State.
AlYahya said Bahrain’s
progress reflects the leadership of Dr Shaikh Abdulla and highlighted the
country’s performance across key areas of digital adoption. According to the
DCO’s Digital Economy Navigator, Bahrain recorded scores of 84.3 percent in
Social Inclusion, 78.1 percent in Health and Education and 77.7 percent in
Infrastructure.
The meeting focused on
strengthening the longstanding partnership between Bahrain and the DCO and
advancing cooperation in areas considered critical to the evolving digital
economy.
These include artificial
intelligence governance, online content integrity and the Data Embassy
Initiative, as well as identifying additional opportunities to accelerate
Bahrain’s digital transformation.
AlYahya said the progress
achieved under Bahrain’s digital leadership demonstrates the growing importance
of digital transformation as a driver of economic and social development.
“Digital transformation is
no longer optional, it is an absolute necessity,” she quoted Dr Shaikh Abdulla
as saying.
The DCO said it looks
forward to building on its longstanding partnership with Bahrain as both sides
continue to pursue the goal of digital prosperity for all.
