Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain achieved a new milestone in the development of its telecommunications sector by ranking sixth globally among 159 countries in the 2026 ICT Development Index (IDI), issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Bahrain advanced three places from last year and increased its overall score to 98%.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, said the Kingdom's advanced ranking reflects continued progress under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the government's strategic direction, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This strategic approach aims to strengthen Bahrain's position among the world's leading countries in telecommunications and information and communications technology.
The Transportation Minister highlighted that the achievement reflects the success of Bahrain's national policies in developing digital infrastructure and enhancing the quality of telecommunications services. This progress has been achieved through partnerships with relevant entities and the efforts of national cadres, enabling the Kingdom to provide high-quality telecommunications and internet services, increase fixed and mobile internet subscriptions, and enhance the coverage and accessibility of digital services.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed emphasized that the results provide further motivation to strengthen Bahrain's position as a leading regional hub for telecommunications and information and communications technology. He noted the importance of continued cooperation and coordination with relevant entities, particularly the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), telecommunications companies, and BNET. These collaborations contribute to the development of digital infrastructure, improved service quality, and enhanced regional and international competitiveness.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Telecommunications at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, stated that Bahrain scored 99.1 points in the Universal Connectivity pillar and 97 points in the Meaningful Connectivity pillar. The Kingdom achieved the maximum score of 100 points in four key indicators: internet user penetration, household internet connectivity, mobile broadband network coverage, and mobile phone ownership. Additionally, Bahrain recorded high scores in mobile broadband subscription penetration and mobile broadband data traffic.