Manama: Bahrain Bourse (BHB), a licensed exchange by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), in collaboration with INJAZ Bahrain, held an awards ceremony to conclude the 2024-2025 Smart Investor Programme. Her Highness Shaikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairperson of INJAZ Bahrain, was present.
According to Bahrain News Agency, now in its seventh consecutive year, the Smart Investor Programme continues to serve as a key national initiative aimed at strengthening financial literacy among young learners. Delivered through engaging, activity-based learning, the program introduces foundational concepts in personal finance, including budgeting, saving, and financial planning, empowering students with practical knowledge for real-world financial decision-making. The programme's success underscores Bahrain Bourse and INJAZ Bahrain's ongoing commitment to developing a financially savvy and responsible generation.
This year's edition of the academic year culminated in the Smart Investor National Competition, designed to test students' comprehension and application of financial concepts. A total of 48 teams competed in a two-phased selection process. In the first stage, students submitted short videos creatively illustrating one of the core financial concepts of the Smart Investor Programme. The second stage required teams to conceptualise a mobile application designed to support financial planning.
The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the top three winning teams across both school categories. For the government schools category, the first-place award was presented to Aamina Bent Wahab Primary Girls School, the second-place award to Hamad Town Primary Girls School, and the third-place award to Al Mustaqbal Primary Girls School. For the private schools category, the first-place award was presented to Al Hekma International School, the second-place award to Modern Knowledge Schools, and the third-place award to Al Raja School.
Additionally, the "Best Video" award from the first stage of the competition was presented to Her Highness Shaikha Moza Bint Hamad Al Khalifa Comprehensive School for the government schools category and Canadian School Bahrain for the private schools category.
The Smart Investor Programme reflects a shared goal to equip young people with financial knowledge and prepare them for future challenges. Each year, students demonstrate greater creativity and understanding. We are proud to support this initiative with Bahrain Bourse, as it connects academic learning with real-life skills, promoting responsibility, foresight, and innovation. This year's edition also coincides with INJAZ Bahrain's 20th anniversary, highlighting our continued dedication to empowering youth through education and practical skill-building.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bourse, highlighted the programme's role in promoting financial literacy among youth and preparing a knowledgeable, resilient generation. He noted that ongoing collaboration with INJAZ Bahrain and the Ministry of Education helps instil the importance of informed financial decisions. This year's student participation, marked by strong commitment and creativity, reflects the lasting impact of the programme.
Bahrain Bourse and INJAZ Bahrain extended their sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education for its crucial role in the successful implementation of the programme. They also extended their appreciation to the programme sponsors for the 2024-2025 academic year: Ahli United Bank (Gold Sponsor), Bank ABC, and National Bank of Kuwait (Silver Sponsors), whose contributions continue to drive meaningful educational outcomes.