A recent Visa report on Bahrain revealed that over 80 per cent of women business leaders in the Kingdom are increasing digital adoption. Using AI to enhance payments, management, and marketing, these businesswomen are embracing the digital revolution.

Visa’s annual initiative, She’s Next is inviting applications until the 9th of November. We got in touch with Ali Bailoun, Visa’s Regional General Manager for KSA, Bahrain and Oman to find out more about this year’s program, the incentives available for women applying to it, and how the digital payments leader is collaborating with strategic partners to offer a host of opportunities for businesswomen looking to scale up and lead their businesses to greater success.

What motivated Visa to bring the She’s Next initiative back to Bahrain, and what impact do you hope it will have on women-owned businesses in the region?

Bahrain has consistently shown a strong commitment to building an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports women-led businesses. With progressive policies, supportive initiatives, and an inclusive environment, Bahrain is nurturing a new generation of pioneering women entrepreneurs.

However, according to Visa’s ‘Women SMB Digitalization Index,’ access to capital is a significant focus area for women-owned businesses in Bahrain, with nearly a third of women entrepreneurs identifying it as a hurdle to growth, and 44% relying on personal finances to start their businesses. The study also highlighted the aspirations of these women entrepreneurs—over half (52%) expressed a desire to explore new markets or industries to expand their businesses.

Visa is proud to reintroduce the She’s Next initiative in Bahrain, in partnership with Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) and Bahrain Fintech Bay, to provide essential funding, mentorship, and resources that empower women-owned businesses to scale and succeed. The initiative offers immediate financial support of USD 55,000 (approx. BHD 200,000) and fosters long-term resilience through strategic mentorship and training. Applications close on November 9th, and we encourage women entrepreneurs to apply for this opportunity.

How does Visa plan to assist women-owned businesses in optimizing AI for various business functions?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an indispensable tool for modern businesses, enhancing efficiency and providing data-driven insights. Our recent survey reveals that 6 in 10 women entrepreneurs in Bahrain recognize the value of AI, particularly in sales and marketing (61%), customer service (59%), and HR (58%). Over half report improvements in payment experiences with AI, including faster processing (52%) and enhanced fraud prevention (47%).

As modern commerce shifts towards speed, flexibility, and built-in security, Visa is committed to helping businesses—especially women-owned ones—integrate AI across their core functions. For instance, Visa leverages AI in various ways to combat fraud and protect the integrity of the payment ecosystem. AI enables us to analyse vast amounts of transaction data in real-time, identifying patterns and anomalies that may indicate fraudulent activity.  

Through our tailored solutions, we aim to empower women entrepreneurs to leverage AI for increased efficiency, security, and smarter decision-making in their operations.

Could you elaborate on how the initiative is bridging the funding gap for women entrepreneurs?

In Bahrain, nearly 30% of women entrepreneurs have reported challenges in securing funding for their businesses, according to Visa’s survey. To address this gap, Visa launched the She’s Next initiative designed to provide women entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to showcase their business potential to an experienced panel of entrepreneurs and experts and compete for financial grants that can significantly fuel their business growth.

The She’s Next initiative goes beyond just funding. It also offers strategic mentorship opportunities that are crucial for the personal and professional development of women entrepreneurs. For example, in 2023, the International Trade Centre collaborated with Visa GCC’s SheTrades and She’s Next initiatives to train 340 women across GCC countries, ultimately supporting over 12,000 women employees.

By providing initial funding, tailored training, and extensive networking opportunities, the initiative aims to empower women entrepreneurs with the confidence and skills necessary to scale their businesses. This, in turn, contributes to a more diversified economy and strengthens the role of women in the entrepreneurial landscape. Through these combined efforts, we are dedicated to bridging the funding gap and fostering a supportive ecosystem for women-owned businesses in Bahrain.

What measures does Visa recommend for small businesses to enhance their transaction security?

In the evolving landscape of digital transactions, maintaining robust security practices is critical for protecting both businesses and consumers. The Women SMB Digitalization Index indicates that many women entrepreneurs in Bahrain prioritize transaction security, with 59% focusing on employee awareness and 51% on advanced security measures.

Visa’s AI-powered fraud detection systems continuously learn and adapt, improving their ability to detect and prevent fraud as new threats emerge. Additionally, AI personalizes fraud prevention strategies for individual cardholders, ensuring a seamless and secure payment experience for all.

We achieve this through our advanced AI systems and data-driven risk management tools, providing 24/7 surveillance to secure the payment ecosystem. Over the past five years, Visa has invested more than $10 billion in technology, with $500 million specifically allocated to AI and data infrastructure. This significant investment has enabled us to develop and implement 100 AI-driven capabilities, strengthening network security and reducing fraud risk for our clients. Last year alone, Visa helped prevent $40 billion in fraudulent transactions.

Our key AI-driven solutions include:

  • Visa Advanced Authorization (VAA) & Visa Risk Manager (VRM): AI-powered tools for comprehensive fraud management that now extend beyond Visa cards, helping issuers consolidate and enhance fraud detection.
  • Visa Provisioning Intelligence (VPI): This machine learning-driven solution prevents token fraud by assessing risks for token requests, ensuring more secure transactions.
  • Visa Protect for Account-to-Account Payments: Built for immediate payments, this AI tool provides real-time risk scoring, enabling institutions to prevent fraud in digital wallets and instant payment systems.

Through these innovations, Visa empowers entrepreneurs to integrate AI for smarter, more secure operations.

What role does the She’s Next Club play in supporting women entrepreneurs, and what kinds of mentoring or networking opportunities are available through this platform?

The She’s Next Club is a vital component of Visa’s broader initiative to empower women entrepreneurs by providing comprehensive support that fosters business growth. All applicants of She’s Next gain access to trainings, educational sessions designed to enhance business skills and knowledge, as well as She’s Next Club resources like the Practical Skills Business Program that offer practical guidance.

By creating a community that promotes mentorship and collaboration, the She’s Next Club bridges gaps in professional networks, enabling women to build valuable relationships that support their business growth.

What advice do you have for women business owners on strengthening the areas of online presence and customer engagement using digital tools?

In an era where digital presence defines business reach, Visa’s findings underscore thesignificance of an effective online strategy for women entrepreneurs in Bahrain.

According to the Women SMB Digitalization Index, 46% of women-owned businesses use social media, and 41% have business websites to sell products and services online. To strengthen these areas, we recommend focusing on targeted advertising, interactive content, and AI-driven personalization tools that enhance user experience and customer loyalty. Bahrain’s support for digital transformation, as outlined in its national plans, highlights the importance of leveraging technology for business growth.

By adopting and continuously refining digital tools, women entrepreneurs can build strong online presences that foster customer trust and expand market reach. This approach complements Visa’s vision of empowering digital transformation and aligns with Bahrain’s strategic goals for a tech-driven economy. A strong digital presence coupled with effective customer engagement strategies will not only enhance brand visibility but also drive sustainable business growth.

What unique resources does Visa’s partnership with partners like Bahrain Islamic Bank and Bahrain Fintech Bay bring to the She’s Next initiative?

Visa’s strategic partnerships with key local institutions, such as Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) and Bahrain Fintech Bay, enhance the impact of the She’s Next initiative by providing localized expertise and support. These partnerships bring tailored financial services and cutting-edge fintech solutions to the initiative.

Bahrain Islamic Bank’s focus on innovative and Sharia-compliant financial services complements the program’s objectives of fostering inclusive growth. Bahrain Fintech Bay, as a major fintech hub, offers resources and insights into emerging trends, providing women entrepreneurs with the tools they need to integrate fintech solutions into their business models. Visa’s collaboration with these partners supports a long-term vision where Bahraini women entrepreneurs have enhanced access to not just funding but also advanced financial tools and knowledge that drive innovation and growth.