stc Bahrain lands two wins at Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025

stc Bahrain won the CSRtech - Telecommunications and the Blockchain - Telecommunications categories for its innovative solutions.

Telecom company stc Bahrain took home two major accolades at the highly sought-after Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025 for its nationalised training initiative Jeel ICT Programme that empowers Bahraini youth with vital technical and business skills, as well as a structured, telco-led blockchain programme Web3 Launchpad that has achieved a significant milestone for the wholesale telecommunications sector.

The Jeel ICT Programme, which brought stc Bahrain the award in the CSRtech - Telecommunications category, is a collaborative effort with key government and educational entities and directly supports the country’s ambitious goals, including driving significant growth in the national ICT sector and creating new career pathways for young Bahrainis.

It enhances employment prospects and fosters personal growth for the Bahraini youth. It aligns with the government's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy Strategy, nurturing well-rounded professionals with leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities.

The programme's impact is evident in its overwhelming demand: over 3,000 applications received in one year, with 25% from the Ministry of Labour talent pool. A rigorous psychometric assessment process has shortlisted 200 candidates from 800, providing personalised feedback to all participants. Ultimately, 33 outstanding graduates have been selected for a year-long internship at stc Bahrain, gaining invaluable hands-on experience.

Extensive outreach through university collaborations, career expos, and social media campaigns, which have garnered nationwide engagement and strong visibility amongst young professionals, have also ensured maximum participation.

stc Bahrain's long term commitment to the Jeel ICT Programme underscores its commitment to creating a skilled workforce vital for the Kingdom's digital transformation. The programme is widely recognised for its excellence and continuous evolution, directly contributing to the national workforce.

“This commitment is a powerful step forward in uplifting the future of Bahrain and directly aligns with stc Bahrain’s core mission: to empower Bahraini youth with the essential tools they need to advance their careers in the rapidly evolving field of ICT. The Jeel ICT programme is not merely a training initiative; it is an investment in Bahrain's human capital and digital future,” the company said.

Meanwhile, its Web3 Launchpad represents a bold, strategic move to lead the emerging Web3 economy, proving that blockchain can complement, rather than disrupt, a telecom operator’s core business.

The Launchpad is built on a clear, phased roadmap: starting with secure infrastructure in stc Bahrain’s data centres, expanding into protocol trust via validator operations, offering Web3 cloud hosting, and testing user-facing applications through NFT campaigns and on-chain games. This practical layering has already delivered tangible results — generating revenue, attracting global partners, and strengthening Bahrain’s position in blockchain innovation.

In just one year, the Web3 Launchpad has achieved significant industry recognition. It has launched Bahrain's first Layer 1 blockchain, has set up and deployed over 20 strong validator nodes, and has attracted strong participation from the blockchain community, demonstrating high engagement and adoption.

“Through the Launchpad, stc Bahrain is not just responding to disruption — it is shaping the future of wholesale telecom by turning carrier-grade infrastructure into a blockchain trust platform. This initiative proves that with the right strategy, partners, and local credibility, Web3 can become a profitable and scalable wholesale opportunity for telecom operators worldwide,” the company said.

It has demonstrated measurable success through diversified service offerings and strategic ecosystem partnerships. This validates the robust business case for wholesale blockchain services.

For this transformative solution, stc Bahrain bagged the title in the Blockchain - Telecommunications category.

Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025 honours the remarkable achievements of both homegrown and international firms in shaping the Middle East’s evolving technological landscape, acknowledging their innovations, strategic growth, and contributions to economic and community development.

The Middle East Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].