Bahrain hosts UK delegation to Boost FinTech Partnerships

By Puja Sharma

A UK FinTech delegation visited Bahrain as part of a three-day programme organised with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The visit brought together government officials, regulators, and FinTech innovators from both countries to explore collaboration and developments in Bahrain’s financial technology ecosystem.

Underscoring the robust strength of the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two nations, united by a collective ambition to drive growth in the digital economy and spearhead transformative innovation in the financial services industry, Bahrain hosted over 70 delegates from 36 UK-based FinTech companies—the largest FinTech delegation the Department has ever led to any country. The delegation’s participation at FinTech Forward 2025 (FF25) – the region’s premier two-day FinTech event, which kicked off with a networking reception – was a strategic component of the mission’s agenda.

The programme brought together senior government officials, regulators, and leading FinTech innovators from both countries to explore new areas of cooperation and showcase the evolution of Bahrain’s dynamic FinTech ecosystem. Katie Ramsey, Head of FinTech at UK DBT, participated in the panel discussion at FF25 entitled ‘Charting the next frontier for digital assets.’ The session focused on how innovations in FinTech, such as stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, blockchain infrastructure, and AI-driven wallets, are blurring the lines between payments, assets, and infrastructure.

Katie Ramsey, Head of FinTech at UK DBT joined the session “Charting the Next Frontier for Digital Assets”, discussing innovations such as stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, blockchain infrastructure, and AI-driven wallets, and their impact on payments, assets, and infrastructure.

During the visit, Velexa, a UK WealthTech firm, signed an agreement with Ajyad Capital, licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, to provide technology and white-label trading solutions for Ajyad’s Shari’ah-compliant digital trading app for GCC markets. Umazi, a UK-based digital identity and compliance firm, entered an agreement with Bahrain FinTech Bay to support the development of Bahrain’s FinTech ecosystem through collaborative events, research, and training programs.

The programme included meetings with the Central Bank of Bahrain, BENEFIT Company, Bahrain Labour Fund (Tamkeen), and Bahrain FinTech Bay. Discussions focused on regulatory innovation, digital transformation, and cross-border financial connectivity. Opening remarks at FF25 were delivered by H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and CEO of Bahrain EDB; H.E. Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain; and H.E. Alastair Long, British Ambassador to Bahrain.

FinTech Highlights

UK-based firms presenting at FF25 included AMAN Powered by Themis, Oxford Risk, Money Squirrel, Greengage, JustTip, Escode, SaaScada, Raidiam, SensFish, and BKN 301, showcasing innovations ranging from financial crime prevention to digital trading and risk management. AMAN, supported by Tamkeen, demonstrated AI-driven solutions for financial crime mitigation, contributing to Bahrain’s ambition to become a regional hub for FinTech innovation.

Dalal Buhejji, Executive Director of Financial Services at Bahrain EDB, said: “We are proud to welcome the UK delegation to Bahrain as part of this partnership with DBT. This visit reflects Bahrain’s growing role as a gateway for innovation and cross-border collaboration. The participation of UK FinTechs highlights the depth and diversity of our financial technology ecosystem and supports continued collaboration and economic growth.”