Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah celebrated the winning digital projects, highlighting Bahrain’s digital development and its role in supporting comprehensive national progress under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He expressed pride in the royal directives to use modern technology for societal benefit and commended the government’s ongoing support led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in advancing government performance.

The Interior Minister also marked the 30th anniversary of the Kingdom’s internet connection as a significant technological achievement, noting a major transformation in communications and ICT sectors driven by a national vision advancing digital transformation. Bahrain was the first country worldwide to provide internet access to all government employees, achieving 100% internet coverage according to the International Telecommunication Union.

He underscored that the eGovernment Excellence Award reinforces government support for digital transformation and fosters a culture of excellence and innovation across public and private sectors. Since its inception in 2008, the award has featured 1,940 outstanding digital projects, with 184 winners, reflecting Bahrain’s strong commitment to digital excellence.

Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah congratulated the award recipients for their creativity and national responsibility and thanked the organising committee and the Information and eGovernment Authority for their efforts, expressing hope for the award’s continued success in supporting digital transformation and innovation.

The ceremony included a short documentary about the 2025 award, showcasing standout entries and project evaluations aimed at promoting creativity and innovation.

Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information and eGovernment Authority, highlighted the award as a national driver of digital transformation, reflecting the Kingdom’s progress in the technology sector and commending the Minister’s support. He noted the leadership’s role in enhancing Bahrain’s digital infrastructure and advancing an integrated government network, which formed the basis for the first National eGovernment Strategy in 2007, guiding comprehensive digital development.

Al Qaed described the award as a cornerstone motivating all entities toward excellence, innovation, and enhanced performance, continuously updating standards to keep pace with rapid digital changes, encouraging advanced legislation, flexible organisational structures, and preparing a capable national workforce.

A documentary on Bahrain’s internet journey from 1995 to the present was screened during the ceremony. Following this, Dr. Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Hamed, President of the Bahrain Internet Society, gave a speech noting the connection to the internet as a pivotal moment in Bahrain’s digital development, fostering a future of human advancement, knowledge, and innovation. He highlighted the Society’s role in raising awareness and digital literacy, and Bahrain’s emergence as a regional and global model due to its legislative environment, supportive digital policies, and integrated digital systems focused on citizen service.

Dr. Al Hamed emphasised that the next phase must move beyond technological development, focusing on directing innovation to serve humanity and ensuring digital services enhance quality of life.

Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah then honoured the 2025 eGovernment Excellence Award winners, recognised for their innovation and creativity.

In the public and private sector categories, the Ministry of Youth Affairs won Best Website (www.mya.gov.bh), Gulf University won for their website (www.gulfuniversity.edu.bh), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning won Best Integrated Electronic Services for its integrated services, Bahrain Airport Services won for its ground handling services management system "Munawala", and stc Bahrain’s "My stc BH" app won Best Smart Device Application, dedicated to the private sector.

Best Work Environment for Digital Innovation went to the University of Bahrain for its Digital Innovation System and BENEFIT Company for its private sector work environment. The Nasser Centre for Science and Technology won Best Use of Artificial Intelligence in the public sector for its AI-powered classroom project, while Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) won the private sector AI award for its AI system predicting high-risk areas within the company.

The Best Digital Transformation Project award went to the National Bureau of Revenue’s Advanced Data Analysis System, and Al Salam Bank won the private sector category for its "ONE Marketplace" app.

The General Directorate of Traffic in the Ministry of Interior won Best Practice in E-Participation for its digital traffic safety campaign (@Trafficbh), and the Khalid bin Hamad Sports Organisation won the private sector award for live streaming Mixed Martial Arts events via the BRAVE TV platform.

Individual category winners included Marwa Asim Latif for a cancer prediction system using AI and RNA sequencing; Hussain Basim for the "SolarMap" web app; and Fares Ahmed Marhoon for the "SentinelSecure" vulnerability assessment tool.

Since 2008, the eGovernment Excellence Award has established itself as a leading national initiative promoting digital transformation, innovation, and adoption of smart solutions to improve service quality across Bahrain’s public and private sectors.