Citibank NA, Bahrain Branch (Citi Bahrain) has expanded its Global Technology Hub in Manama with the addition of a new state of the art floor, reinforcing its strategic commitment to grow its technological footprint in the region.
This development supports Citi’s broader objective to create 1,000 coding jobs over a ten-year period at the Bahrain hub, as it continues onboarding a new wave of programmers and coders. The expanded facility is expected to significantly boost Citi’s digital capabilities both regionally and globally in areas including electronic trading, ecommerce, big data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Established in 2021 as the first of its kind in the region, the Global Technology Hub is a result of a strategic collaboration between Citi Bahrain, the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen).
The hub is responsible for developing and deploying digital solutions that serve Citi’s global network of business lines and clients. The expansion further strengthens Bahrain’s growing reputation as a thriving technology and financial services hub in the Middle East.
The inauguration of the expanded premises was attended by several senior dignitaries and Citi executives, including Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB, Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, 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 Minister of Sustainable Development, CEO- Bahrain EDB
“Citi’s continued expansion in Bahrain, year after year, reflects the growing impact of its Global Technology Hub in Manama, which plays a key role in delivering digital solutions that support Citi’s global client base. Its progress is a testament to the strength of Bahrain’s wider financial services and tech ecosystem, defined by the availability of highly skilled local talent, the agility of the regulatory environment, and the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in enabling high-quality job creation and future-proofed skills development. We look forward to building on this momentum together with Citi, alongside Tamkeen and the CBB, in the years ahead.”
Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, underscored the importance of empowering the national workforce through strategic collaborations and pointed out that, “At Tamkeen, we prioritize investing in developing and empowering our national workforce and in line with this we actively seek strategic partnerships, both local and international, that support our core objectives by building a pool of qualified national talent capable of contributing to the growth, sustainability and productivity of the organizations they serve.”
Mofeez further said that the collaboration with Citi is built on this foundation as it supports innovation, digital transformation and international growth while preparing the labor market with tech-savvy talent ready to lead and make a real impact in their fields.
Tamkeen’s priorities for 2025 include enhancing the competitiveness of Bahraini nationals in the private sector, developing future-ready skillsets, and promoting enterprise growth through digitalization and sustainability.
Michel Sawaya, CEO of Citi Bahrain, expressed confidence in the progress achieved since the hub’s launch and said to be proud of the momentum gained by the tech hub since the establishment in 2021. Nikhil Joshi, CIO Markets at Citi, emphasized the long-term digital opportunity in the region to elevate digital service development capabilities in Bahrain.
Citi Bahrain’s decision to establish and expand its tech hub in Bahrain is rooted in the depth of the local talent pool and a business environment supported by forward-looking regulations and responsive government institutions. As the hub enters its next phase of growth, Citi Bahrain is poised to play a pivotal role in delivering advanced digital solutions across the global financial landscape.
