The Kingdom of Bahrain, through its Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, has officially launched WE-Elevate, a strategic initiative in partnership with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) aimed at strengthening and empowering female-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The national rollout is part of a wider expansion of the program across all DCO Member States.
Bridging the Digital Divide for Entrepreneurs
WE-Elevate is designed to equip female entrepreneurs with the critical skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. The program offers comprehensive capacity-building support through a series of online learning modules, dedicated mentorship, and access to key trading platforms. It provides a structured pathway for businesses to transition from offline to online operations, with step-by-step training in digital readiness, financial literacy, and cross-border e-commerce, ultimately helping to formalize businesses and expand their customer reach.
A Catalyst for Economic Growth
With MSMEs already accounting for 17.8% of Bahrain’s economy, this initiative is poised to further unlock their potential. The program aims to address the global underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and empower a new generation of entrepreneurs to compete on a larger scale.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, commented, “MSMEs are at the heart of Bahrain’s economy. The rollout of WE-Elevate strengthens our women-led businesses, giving them the confidence and tools to scale beyond borders.”
DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya added, “WE-Elevate is more than a program; it is a catalyst for empowerment and opportunity. By equipping women with digital tools and entrepreneurial support, we are fostering more inclusive, resilient, and innovative economies.”
A Global Initiative With Local Impact
The launch in Bahrain follows the DCO’s announcement to expand the program during the UNGA80 summit in New York. The initiative builds upon the success of a pilot program in Rwanda, where participating MSMEs significantly improved their digital capabilities, formalized their operations, and gained access to new markets. The program’s expansion aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8).
About WE-Elevate
WE-Elevate is an initiative by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) created to empower female-led micro, small, and medium enterprises. It provides entrepreneurs with digital tools, online training modules, mentorship, and access to e-commerce platforms to help them formalize their businesses, access new markets, and create sustainable jobs.
About The Digital Cooperation Organization
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) is a global multilateral body that aims to enable digital prosperity for all by accelerating the inclusive growth of the digital economy. It brings together ministries of communications and IT from its Member States to foster collaboration on digital transformation and economic development.
Source: MEA TechWatch
