In alignment with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, Al Salam Bank has signed a strategic agreement with Denodo, a global leader in data management, AWS, and NAIB IT, a Bahrain-based systems integrator specialising in advanced technology solutions for banking, government, and enterprise sectors. The partnership will enable the Bank to adopt the Denodo platform, enhancing its data infrastructure and accelerating AI innovation as part of Bahrain’s national digital transformation strategy.
The signing ceremony was attended by Shaikha Dr. Dheya Bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Managing Director at NAIB IT; Mr. Anwar Murad, Deputy CEO – Banking at Al Salam Bank; Mr. Hemantha Wijesinghe, CTO at Al Salam Bank; and Mr. Gabriele Obino, Denodo Regional Vice President South Europe and Middle East, and General Manager of Denodo Arabian Limited.
By leveraging the Denodo platform, Al Salam Bank will integrate and manage enterprise-wide data from multiple systems, enabling faster decision-making and innovation. The initiative underscores the Bank’s ambition to lead digital transformation within the financial sector, supporting Bahrain’s long-term economic objectives.
Shaikha Dr. Dheya Bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa stated, “This strategic collaboration represents a significant milestone in Bahrain’s digital transformation journey. We are happy to facilitate partnerships that advance our nation’s technological capabilities and strengthen our position as a regional fintech hub. Through initiatives like this, we are building the foundation for a knowledge-based economy that aligns with Bahrain’s Vision 2030.”
“At Al Salam Bank, we are committed to remaining at the forefront of digital transformation within the financial sector,” said Anwar Murad, Deputy CEO – Banking at Al Salam Bank. “This strategic partnership with Denodo and NAIB IT marks a significant step in advancing our digital maturity and optimising the use of data and AI to better serve our clients. By harnessing real-time data integration and AI-powered analytics, we aim to enhance responsiveness, strengthen operational agility, and deliver a more personalised and seamless banking experience. This initiative goes beyond technology adoption—it represents our dedication to embedding intelligence into core operations, enabling informed decision-making and positioning Al Salam Bank as a forward-looking institution aligned with the aspirations of Bahrain’s Vision 2030.”
“This partnership reflects our vision to build a smarter, more agile bank powered by advanced data and AI capabilities. We believe this initiative will not only enhance the clients experience but also set a benchmark for innovation in the region,” said Hemantha Wijesinghe, CTO at Al Salam Bank.
The collaboration also leverages AWS Marketplace to streamline procurement, enable cloud-native scalability, and provide real-time access to data products, accelerating the Bank’s innovation agenda. Through Denodo’s logical data management framework and its universal semantic layer, Al Salam Bank can seamlessly connect data from core systems, fintech partners, and cloud-based platforms within minutes. This integration will empower AI-driven analytics and deliver actionable insights faster at both executive and operational levels.
Commenting on the collaboration, Gabriele Obino, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Southern Europe and Middle East at Denodo, stated, “We are proud to support Al Salam Bank in its digital transformation journey. Our platform enables real-time data access, governance, and agility, critical components for AI success. This partnership showcases how modern data management can empower financial institutions to lead in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”
“As a local integrator, our mission is to ensure that global innovation translates into local success,” said Ebrahim Sonde, COO at NAIB IT. “Collaborating with Al Salam Bank and Denodo, we are committed to delivering a robust, secure, and scalable data architecture that drives meaningful transformation.”
By adopting Denodo’s capabilities alongside NAIB IT’s deployment expertise, Al Salam Bank expects significant improvements in operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service delivery. Real-time data access will enhance internal decision-making while delivering a superior experience for clients.
This strategic move further cements Al Salam Bank’s position as a technology-driven financial leader, aligned with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and ready to shape the future of intelligent, data-led financial services.
