Page 63 - SAMENA Trends - July-September 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bahrain’s iGA Achieves Major Milestones in Digital Transformation in H1 2024

Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority
(iGA) has achieved significant milestones in digital
transformation, investing in emerging technologies,
and enhancing IT governance policies in the first
half of 2024. The number of electronic transactions
completed through the National Portal, bahrain.bh,
mobile applications, and other electronic channels
reached 4 million, with digital payments surpassing
BD374 million ($992 million). The iGA delivered
700 eServices across all eGovernment channels
and launched 35 new eServices, resulting in a 75%
cost reduction and 68% time reduction, according
to iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed.
A total of 950 ICT purchase requests by over 50
government entities, valued at BD36 million, were
reviewed, and 100 strategic IT projects worth BD34
million were considered. Transactions through
mobile applications available via the eGovernment
app store, bahrain.bh/apps, exceeded 691,000, a
20% rise compared to the first half of 2023, with
an average monthly usage rate of 788,000, and
payment transactions surpassing BD32 million,
a 14% increase. The number of app downloads
reached over 902,000. The AlTajer app saw a 192%
increase in payment transactions, and the eShabab
app saw a 99% increase in users compared to H1
2023. Additionally, the Sehati app had a 38% jump
in monthly users, the Tawasul app saw a 27%
increase, and the eTraffic app had a 20% rise. The
most used apps in H1 2024 were eTraffic, with an
average of over 230,000 users, and Sehati, with
over 136,000 users monthly. Key services launched
in H1 2024 included 35 new eServices through
the National Portal and eGovernment channels.
These included nine new services by the iGA, such and an 85% satisfaction rate. Service A data backup project for 44
as QR code-enabled ID card printing and death procedures and systems were government entities using Microsoft
certificate services. The Ministry of Industry and redesigned to improve government 365 cloud computing services ensured
Commerce launched three new eServices within service delivery. A total of 81 national comprehensive data protection.
the AlTajer app, including a video call consultation initiatives, including electronic The advanced eKey system reached
request service. Other new services included those services and information systems, approximately 768,000 registered
from the Nationality, Passports and Residence were restructured. Twenty-three users, with over 14 million successful
Affairs (NPRA), the Ministry of Housing and Urban government websites were evaluated, logins in H1 2024. Operations and
Planning, and the Ministry of Justice, Islamic over 800 national systems were tested, governance achievements included
Affairs, and Endowments. Al Qaed highlighted the and 251 government employees from linking 20 entities to the data lake,
launch of 12 national systems, including Death 24 entities were trained. Two new transferring 72 sets of data, launching
Registration, the Building Permit Portal (Benayat), eServices for Benayat were launched, the real estate information bank
and the National Correspondence System 2.0, accelerating transaction completion platform Aqari, and an Employment
with updates to 124 services, including 33 new for large and small additions, Skills Platform nearing launch. An
ones. The second phase of Sijilat 3.0 introduced benefiting approximately 1,400 interactive electronic meeting system
a new interface and dashboard with 29 services, engineering offices and government was implemented during the 33rd Arab
including five new ones. The National Suggestion entities by enabling electronic building Summit and the 54th session of the
and Complaint System (Tawasul) added the permits within two working days. Council of Arab Information Ministers,
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) The National Geospatial Database showcasing Bahrain’s commitment to
and Eskan Bank as new entities, with over 85,000 provided geospatial data with over digital governance and technological
cases directed through various government entities, 133,000 accesses, supporting entities advancement.
achieving a 98.5% service level commitment rate like Benayat and planning platforms.
63 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2024