BENEFIT and KFH–Bahrain Roll Out Digital Direct Debit for EWA in Push for Fintech Innovation
BENEFIT has launched a Digital Direct Debit service through its BenefitPay app and “Fawateer” channel, while KFH–Bahrain has completed certification for the Electricity and Water Authority’s (EWA) Direct Debit, moves that advance fintech innovation in Bahrain’s payments infrastructure. The paired announcements accelerate the migration away from paper-based approvals and ordinary manual processing at a moment when regulators and banks are prioritizing digital payments transformation.
BENEFIT’s Digital Direct Debit on BenefitPay and Fawateer
BENEFIT described the new Digital Direct Debit as an advanced alternative to paper-based procedures, enabling instant activation of mandates without manual processing or delays. The service is delivered through secure digital channels that rely on verified customer credentials, which BENEFIT says enhances security and reduces fraud risks associated with conventional methods. The company positions the launch as a milestone in streamlining payment and settlement services across the Kingdom.
KFH–Bahrain completes certification for EWA Direct Debit in Manama
Manama — Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain (KFH–Bahrain), identified as one of the Kingdom’s leading Islamic banks, announced it has finished the full certification process for the Electricity and Water Authority’s Direct Debit service in cooperation with BENEFIT. The bank is the first in Bahrain to complete this certification, enabling customers to link their bank accounts with the BenefitPay App to pay electricity and water bills automatically.
Customer flow: EWA mandate agreements and BenefitPay approvals
Under the setup, customers complete a Direct Debit agreement with EWA and then review and approve the mandate authorisation through the BenefitPay App. That replaces previously adopted manual approvals with a secure, streamlined digital approval process. KFH–Bahrain framed the change as a direct way to simplify financial services and enhance daily convenience for account holders.
API integration, ISO 20022 and operational efficiencies
The Digital Direct Debit is powered by an API-based interface that connects billing and invoicing systems with customer-facing apps, enabling more seamless payment processes and automated reconciliation. BENEFIT highlighted integration with Enterprise Resource Planning systems and the automation of accounting through the ISO 20022 international standard. Operational effects cited include reduced reliance on manual data entry, lower administrative costs, minimized human error and automated collections processed on due dates to support cash-flow management for beneficiary entities.
Central Bank of Bahrain directives and Fintech Innovation
Both organisations said the rollouts align with directives from the Central Bank of Bahrain to reinforce the Kingdom’s role as a regional hub for innovation in digital payments and Fintech. What makes this notable is the combination of a regulator-backed push and vendor-led infrastructure—BENEFIT’s digital mandate activation and KFH–Bahrain’s status as the first certified bank create immediate pathways for broader adoption of Open Banking, Open Finance, embedded finance and account-to-account (A2A) payments.
Leadership statements, strategy and next steps
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive, Abdulwahed AlJanahi, said the service demonstrates the company’s commitment to strengthening Bahrain’s electronic payments ecosystem and delivering solutions that support the transition to a digital economy. KFH–Bahrain’s Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer – Technology & Operations, Samih Abutaleb, called the collaboration with EWA and BENEFIT a significant step forward in the bank’s digital transformation journey, describing the service as secure, flexible and reliable while reducing traditional procedures in line with the bank’s “beyond horizons” approach.
KFH–Bahrain’s positioning, communications and disclaimer
KFH–Bahrain framed the certified Direct Debit as a qualitative addition to efforts to strengthen efficiency across financial and governmental services and said it underlines the bank’s leading role in accelerating adoption of smart banking solutions. The bank reaffirmed its commitment to working with strategic partners to provide modern services that elevate customer experiences. The announcement noted that further updates are available through the bank’s official channels and included a disclaimer that the press release content was provided by a third party and is presented on an "as is" basis without editorial endorsement.
The combined deployment creates a paperless payment model intended to improve user experience, cut administrative overhead and support automated account-to-account flows—outcomes that proponents say will help transition Bahrain’s financial ecosystem toward what BENEFIT described as the concept of smart money.
