From Bahrain to Africa: Inside Al Baraka's Digital Silk Road

Daily Tribune

6 days ago

TDT | Manama
Bilateral Trade Sessions Expand Reach
• New cross-border link formed
• MENA-Africa firms connect
• Platform boosts SME trade
A new trade corridor is taking shape between Africa and the Middle East — digitally powered, Sharia-compliant, and anchored in Bahrain.
Al Baraka Group, one of the region's most widespread Islamic banking networks, has launched a platform-driven push to unify its banking units across continents under a common trade finance system.
The initiative, described by industry experts as a 'Digital Silk Road', gained momentum recently with two major bilateral sessions hosted by Al Baraka. The first connected exporters and importers in Turkey and Algeria, while the second linked businesses in Egypt and South Africa — signalling the group's intent to bridge Africa and MENA markets through seamless financing.
Bridging Regions
By pairing clients from its 12 operational markets, Al Baraka's trade programme is not just facilitating business, it is redrawing the commercial landscape.
Since the programme's launch, executives have reviewed performance, discussed faster operational workflows, and mapped out new tech upgrades between Islamic economies.
Senior trade experts, executive teams, and business owners came together during these sessions to explore new partnerships and routes for expansion.
Simultaneously, the group held its second annual Trade Finance Units Meeting in Tunisia, marking the first full year of coordinated efforts.
Powering Through Platforms
A centrepiece of the initiative is Al Baraka's unified Trade Finance Platform, which has undergone major enhancements to allow for:
Faster transaction execution
Simplified client onboarding
Multi-country coordination
The result is a digital-first, bank-integrated solution designed to serve businesses across diverse markets without the friction of conventional banking silos.
'These collective efforts reflect Al Baraka Group's vision of transforming its diverse network into an integrated platform that enables clients to seamlessly access multiple markets,' said Group CEO Houssem Ben Haj Amor.
He noted that the group's strength lies in offering 'diversified and flexible financing solutions' to support business competitiveness.
'We offer advanced solutions and an integrated support network that aligns with our clients' ambitions for expansion and growth in new markets,' added Mr Ben Haj Amor.
Path to Expansion
From Istanbul to Cape Town, Al Baraka's model centres on trade enablement, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to break into regional supply chains.
The group's latest sessions have been widely welcomed by clients seeking reliable trade partners and faster access to finance.
As digital Islamic trade finance accelerates across the Global South, Al Baraka's platform positions Bahrain as a node of influence — linking continents, capital, and clients on a new, ethical trade path.