The Daily Tribune, 19 November 2025: Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development has implemented new regulations through Bahrain Decision No. 78/2025, requiring licensed charitable organisations to appoint compliance officers as part of enhanced financial monitoring measures.

Under the new requirements, all entities licensed to raise funds for charitable, social, educational, or cultural purposes must designate dedicated compliance officers. These officers will be responsible for ensuring adherence to anti-money laundering laws and monitoring fund transfers.

The regulations mandate that compliance officers verify donation proceeds are used solely for ministry-approved purposes. They must also conduct screening procedures against sanctions and terrorism lists, covering board members, founders, and employees of charitable organisations.

The ministry confirmed that the regulations apply to all legal entities that have received official permission to collect public donations or have been notified of ministry consent for fundraising activities. The new measures set out detailed procedural requirements for maintaining financial compliance within the charitable sector.

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