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Islamic Finance & Banking

Whether you are an early stage FinTech venture or a well-established financial institution, in Bahrain you will benefit from an advanced environment with unparalleled Islamic finance expertise.

A global Islamic finance pioneer

Bahrain is recognized as the global leader in Islamic finance, ranking 1st in MENA and 2nd globally for Islamic finance development (ICD 2019). We set the benchmark early for Islamic banking regulation by establishing the Bahrain Islamic Bank in 1978, and have nurtured the concepts, rules, and standards of Shari’a compliance in Islamic banks ever since. In this way, we are able to cater to the needs of both mainstream Islamic finance and the new breed of FinTech entrepreneurs who offer Shari’a-compliant products.

An unrivalled
knowledge hub

Bahrain has the highest concentration of Islamic finance institutions in the region: 15 wholesale Islamic banks and 6 retail Islamic banks.

A growing
Takaful industry

Bahrain, currently home to 6 Takaful firms and 2 Retakaful firms, is the ideal jurisdiction for the industry. The Central Bank of Bahrain has also implemented the new Takaful model which enhances solvency status assessment of these firms.

Largest Islamic finance
market in the region

Total Islamic banking assets held in Bahrain stood at USD 27.8bn in 2018, making it one of the region’s largest Islamic banking markets.

An innovative
government

The Central Bank of Bahrain is continuously implementing new initiatives and policy tools to further develop Bahrain’s standing in Islamic finance, most recently: a new Takaful model and a new Shari’a-compliant Wakalah investment tool.

Bahrain is home to the region’s largest concentration of Islamic finance institutions that deal in almost every area of Islamic finance and Islamic products, from asset management and Sukuk issuance to Shari’a-compliant insurance and reinsurance. We are proud to rank 1st in MENA and 2nd across the global for Islamic finance development, per the ICD Islamic Finance Development Report 2019.

Contact us for support on your next big move

Who’s Here:

Discover how Al Baraka leveraged its position in Bahrain to be selected as a ‘Top Global Growth Company’ by the World Economic Forum, for exceeding industry standards in revenue growth, promoting innovative business practices and leadership in corporate citizenship.

“When you want to create a bank, first of all you have to think about the law, the regulator, the staff, if the country is open and if I can transfer my profits. All these things are in Bahrain.”
Adnan Ahmed Yousif, President & Chief Executive, Al Baraka Banking Group B.S.C.

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Additional resources

Download additional materials on Bahrain’s Islamic finance sector to read at your own convenience. Learn more about Bahrain’s important role in the Islamic financing world, our Shari’a-compliant investment policies, and our interest in helping existing and future businesses grow.

Financial Services in Bahrain

A compelling case for financial institutions to establish a regional base in Bahrain.

Download PDF

Islamic Finance Development Index

Bahrain continues to lead the way in Islamic finance and Shari’a-compliant investment opportunities

Download Infographic

Bahrain for Islamic Finance

Get more information on Takaful and other aspects of Islamic banking and financing in Bahrain.

Download PDF

Get in Touch

Do you have questions about Islamic banking and Shari’a-compliant investment opportunities in Bahrain? Our team at EDB Bahrain can provide valuable insights into any and all aspects of Bahrain’s Islamic finance sector.

Marwa Almosawi

Coordinator

Get in touch with us

  • Ready to learn more? Fill out our contact form and a member of our team will follow up with you shortly.
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