By the Royal University for Women GEM Research Team
Bahraini women are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape: more confident, more innovative, and more committed to sustainability than ever before. This theme is highlighted in the GEM 2024/2025 Bahrain Women’s Report published by the Women’s Research Centre at the Royal University for Women.
Women see more opportunities - and act of them
In Bahrain, women are 8% more likely than men to perceive good business opportunities, reversing the global trend where women are typically 6% less likely than men to do so. This optimism translates into action: 57% of Bahraini women intend to start a business within the next three years, compared to 54% of men.
Bahraini women are more likely than men to start early-stage businesses and more confident in their entrepreneurial skills.
Innovation and sustainability define women's enterprises
The GEM Bahrain Women’s Report is based on survey responses from 2,383 adults aged 18–64 across Bahrain, collected through the Adult Population Survey (APS), alongside insights from 44 national experts via the National Expert Survey (NES). Based on these findings, women-led businesses in Bahrain are more likely than men’s to offer new products and services, especially in international markets. They are also more likely to adopt emerging technologies such as cloud computing and data analytics, and show strong confidence in the future of AI.
Sustainability is a defining feature of women’s entrepreneurship in Bahrain. Over 93% of established women entrepreneurs prioritise social and environmental impact over profit, compared to a global average of 63%. Two-thirds of early-stage women entrepreneurs have taken concrete steps to maximise social impact, demonstrating a values-driven approach to business.
Nearly 90% of women entrepreneurs in Bahrain prioritise sustainability over profitability.
A supportive ecosystem with room to grow
Bahrain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has made significant strides in supporting women. The Supreme Council for Women has shown pioneering leadership in creating a conducive environment for women’s entrepreneurship through landmark initiatives such as the Riyadat Women’s Development Centre, along with other programs delivered by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and institutions like Tamkeen, have expanded access to funding, mentorship, and training. Women now hold 58% of virtual commercial registrations and 49% of all active individual commercial registrations in the Kingdom.
Yet challenges remain. Women are twice as likely as men to rely on informal investment from family, and expert assessments highlight gaps in public procurement and market access. Addressing these barriers will be key to unlocking the full potential of women-led enterprises.
Exits as strategic transitions
Women in Bahrain are more likely than their global peers to exit a business, but also more likely to do so in pursuit of better opportunities. This reflects a dynamic entrepreneurial culture where exits are strategic, not failures.
Tech-savvy and globally oriented
Despite underrepresentation in high-tech sectors, Bahraini women entrepreneurs are highly digitally engaged. Social media use is nearly universal, and many are leveraging digital tools to expand internationally. Among early-stage women entrepreneurs, 42% report that over a quarter of their business is export-oriented.
Policy recommendations
The report outlines several key recommendations to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship in Bahrain:
- Expand access to capital through tailored funding instruments and investor networks.
- Support work-life integration with care-sensitive policies and family support.
- Promote digital and sustainability education, especially for established women entrepreneurs.
- Leverage women’s strong STEM participation to grow tech-driven enterprises.
Learn more in the report, made possible in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Royal University for Women, and the GEM Global team.
This report was prepared and authored by the research team of the Women’s Research Centre and College of Business and Law at Royal University for Women. For further analysis, watch the GEM Women's Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region recorded webinar.