Article written by Myles Donnelly
The IBMATA Middle East Conference 2025, held in Bahrain, brought together policymakers, technologists, and industry experts from around the world to explore one of the most pressing questions of our time — how can technology redefine the way nations manage their borders?
Representing ICE Tech at the event was a powerful reminder that while every country’s context is different, the vision for the future is shared: smarter, faster, and more secure borders that balance facilitation with control.
Borders are evolving from barriers to connectors
One of the clearest messages from IBMATA was that borders are no longer seen purely as control points. They are becoming critical connectors — gateways for trade, tourism, and regional cooperation. This evolution is reshaping how governments think about infrastructure and data. Modern border management now focuses on creating integrated ecosystems that serve both national security and economic growth.
Technology is the enabler — not the entire solution
Across multiple sessions, the consensus was clear: technology alone cannot transform borders. It must be supported by policy alignment, cross-agency collaboration, and shared data frameworks that ensure interoperability between nations.
Digital transformation in government succeeds when systems, people, and policies move together — something ICE Tech has learned first-hand through its work digitising African border operations.
Africa’s border technology is world-class
During my presentation, “Border to Border: Digitising Traffic Flow at Land and Sea Ports,” I shared how ICE Tech’s flagship platform, ICE Borders, is transforming cross-border operations across Africa. Built to handle the continent’s complex operational realities — from inconsistent infrastructure to extreme traffic volumes — the system digitises every stage of the border journey.
From AI-driven vehicle classification and automated queue management to real-time data integration across multiple agencies, ICE Borders delivers performance on par with, and in many cases surpassing, global benchmarks. It proves that technology designed for Africa’s challenges is robust enough to work anywhere in the world.
The human impact of border digitisation
One of the highlights of the conference was visiting the King Fahd Causeway, the major land link between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Seeing this fully digitised crossing in action was an important reminder of why we innovate in the first place. Every efficient process and automated checkpoint translates into improved lives — faster movement for traders, safer travel for families, and stronger economies for nations.
Standing there, I couldn’t help but reflect on how similar the goals are between Africa and the Middle East. While each region faces unique challenges, both are investing in the same principles: data-driven decision-making, integrated operations, and intelligent systems that make borders work better for everyone.
Data is the next frontier
Perhaps the most consistent theme at IBMATA 2025 was the growing role of data in shaping future border ecosystems. Real-time analytics, predictive modelling, and integrated databases are transforming how authorities monitor, manage, and secure their crossings.
Data enables governments to anticipate congestion, detect anomalies, and make informed, rapid decisions — empowering both security agencies and traders. For Africa, where borders are often the lifeblood of national economies, harnessing data effectively will be key to achieving sustainable growth.
Looking ahead
As I left Bahrain, I felt a renewed sense of optimism about Africa’s trajectory in this space. The continent is not playing catch-up — it’s setting a new standard. The digital transformation of border management in Africa reflects resilience, innovation, and world-class technical capability.
At ICE Tech, we remain committed to helping governments modernise their border systems through intelligent, data-driven solutions that enhance efficiency, strengthen compliance, and improve the citizen experience. The work being done across Africa demonstrates that when technology is built with purpose and context, it can shape the future of border management globally.
