AFS and Bahrain Polytechnic Join Forces to Revolutionise Fintech Education in Bahrain

Arab Financial Services (AFS) has teamed up with Bahrain Polytechnic in a move that could well shake things up in the Kingdom’s growing fintech ecosystem. The two sides have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bridge the gap between the academic and financial worlds—something a lot of us in the startup space have been calling for quite a while.

The signing took place in Manama, witnessed by senior figures from both organisations, including AFS CEO Samer Soliman and Bahrain Polytechnic CEO Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin. On paper, it’s a collaboration—yet in reality, it’s a hands-on effort to get young Bahrainis ready for the real deal in fintech. Students will gain practical training, take part in field visits, and attend sessions with industry leaders who know the job inside-out. There’s also talk of joint research and a curriculum that mirrors what the market actually needs—refreshing, isn’t it?

Soliman said the idea is to see innovation start in the classroom and flourish in the field, aiming to build “homegrown fintech leaders” who can take Bahrain’s role as a regional hub even further. I reckon that vision is spot on, particularly when you think about how fast the financial landscape is shifting in the Gulf. Ó Catháin added that the deal helps align educational programmes with the skills employers truly want—something we’ve heard plenty of universities promise, but only a few genuinely manage to deliver.

For those who haven’t come across them before, AFS is a Bahraini fintech giant with roots going back to 1984, now serving over 60 clients in more than 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa. It’s regulated by central banks in Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE, and offers services ranging from digital wallets to payroll solutions. Bahrain Polytechnic, meanwhile, was established under Royal Decree in 2008 to boost a skilled local workforce—one ready to take on an economy that’s diversifying fast.

From what I’ve seen through Arageek’s work with regional startups, partnerships like this are worth far more than the ink on the contract. It’s not just a handshake—it’s a roadmap for how academia and industry can co‑create solutions, rather than working in their own corners. On the flip side, of course, real success will depend on whether this partnership can move from plans to measurable outcomes—internships, startups, research spin‑offs, the whole shebang.

And believe it or not, these kinds of collaborations can sometimes be a bit of a faff to maintain—but when they click, the payoff is huge. For a region betting big on digital finance, this could well be one of those defining steps. I’m definately curious to see how the first batch of students fare when they step into the fintech scene armed with both theory and hands‑on know-how.

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