Key findings on the state of entrepreneurship in Bahrain were unveiled today during an official ceremony for the launch of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2025 Bahrain National Report at the Royal University for Women. This marks Bahrain’s inaugural participation in GEM. The research was conducted by the Royal University for Women, with the esteemed support of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The ceremony opened with keynote remarks by H.E. Ms. Eman Al Doseri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, who emphasised Bahrain’s world-class infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and cultural support provide a strong foundation for innovation.
“Harnessing Bahrain’s spirit of innovation is critical to our Vision 2030 goals,” said H.E. Ms. Eman Al Doseri. “This report provides the evidence base to guide policy and private-sector collaboration, ensuring every Bahraini can transform ideas into impactful enterprises.”
Prof. Riyad Y. Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, delivered introductory remarks, after which the key findings of both the GEM National Report and the GEM Special Report on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Bahrain were presented. The event was attended by representatives from Tamkeen, the Bahrain Economic Development Board, the Central Bank of Bahrain, and other leading organisations.
Drawing on data from 2,712 adult Bahrainis and the insights of 46 national experts, the GEM National Report benchmarks Bahrain against 56 peer economies. It reveals an overall 7th place ranking in the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI) with Bahrain achieving top-tier positions in Physical Infrastructure, Cultural and Social Norms, Government Policy and Programmes, Internal Market Dynamics, Access to Finance, Entrepreneurial Education, Commercial and Legal Infrastructure, Market Openness, and R&D Transfer.
More than 80% of established businesses (in business for more than 42 months) now integrate social and environmental impact into their core strategies, underscoring Bahrain’s emergence as a regional hub for sustainable entrepreneurship. With 55.7% of adults planning to launch their own venture within three years and 18.3% already active in startup creation, Bahrain’s entrepreneurial spirit has never been stronger.
Complementing these national findings, the Bahrain Women’s Entrepreneurship Report highlights the exceptional role of Bahraini women in driving innovation. This study presents a trend analysis of women’s entrepreneurship in the Kingdom, examining activity rates for startups and established businesses, patterns of technology use, sustainability goals, cultural perceptions, and business characteristics by stage. Female entrepreneurs are starting new ventures at rates that outpace their male counterparts and are particularly prominent in technology and data-driven industries. Their ventures reach both local and international markets, and they lead the way in adopting cutting-edge tools – including artificial intelligence – to grow and scale their businesses.
For further analysis, watch the GEM Women's Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region recorded webinar.