Manama: Citibank, N.A., Bahrain Branch ("Citi Bahrain") has announced the expansion of its Global Technology Hub in Manama, with the addition of a new state-of-the-art floor to its facilities. This development is part of Citi's plans to hire more talent, with the hub already having onboarded numerous programmers and coders. The goal is to allocate 1,000 coding jobs over a decade for the Bahrain hub.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the hub, established in 2021, was the first of its kind in the region and was created in partnership with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). The expansion aims to enhance Citi's digital capabilities in areas such as Electronic Trading, E-Commerce, Big Data, and AI, further establishing Bahrain as a burgeoning technology and financial hub.
The expanded tech hub develops digital solutions for Citi's global business lines and clients. Key figures at the inauguration included Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB; Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the CBB; Michel Sawaya, CEO of Citi Bahrain; Nikhil Joshi, CIO Markets at Citi; and Kassey Oulhadj, Head of Citi Bahrain Global Technology.
Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif highlighted that Citi's expansion in Bahrain underscores the impact of the Global Technology Hub in Manama, which plays a crucial role in delivering digital solutions to Citi's global clients. The hub's progress reflects the strength of Bahrain's financial services and tech ecosystem, characterized by skilled local talent, a flexible regulatory environment, and effective public-private partnerships that foster job creation and skills development.
Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Tamkeen Chief Executive, stated that Tamkeen emphasizes investing in the national workforce and forming strategic partnerships to build a pool of qualified talent. The collaboration with Citi supports innovation, digital transformation, and international growth, preparing the labor market with tech-savvy talent ready to lead in their fields.
Tamkeen's strategic priorities for 2025 include enhancing the competitiveness of Bahraini nationals in the private sector, equipping them with necessary skills for career development, and focusing on enterprise growth, digitalization, and sustainability.
Michel Sawaya expressed pride in the tech hub's momentum since its inception in 2021, noting that the office expansion is a strategic move reflecting progress towards hiring targets. Nikhil Joshi emphasized the potential to elevate digital service development capabilities in Bahrain, continuing to deliver financial solutions like Electronic Trading and AI to global clients.
Citi selected Bahrain for its tech hub due to the island nation's diverse talent pool, supported by progressive regulatory frameworks and agile government assistance.