Rikan’s New Initiative: Driving Social Responsibility and Sustainable Growth in Oman’s Energy Sector
MUSCAT, May 18 — The Oman Petroleum & Energy Exhibition and Conference 2026, held alongside Oman Sustainability Week 2026, marked the official launch of the “Rikan” Development Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility within the energy sector.
This notable initiative aims to unify the social responsibility efforts of energy and minerals companies across Oman, enhancing the sector’s contribution to sustainable economic and social development. The foundation will serve as a national umbrella organisation, coordinating corporate social initiatives to boost the efficiency of social investment, maximise the developmental impact of projects, and foster sustainable partnerships between the private sector and local communities.
Mohsin bin Hamad al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Social Responsibility Development Foundation for the Energy Sector, described the launch of “Rikan” as a significant milestone in the sector’s community engagement. He emphasised that the foundation reflects a progressive national strategy focused on integrating sector companies to achieve sustainable development with people at its core.
Al Hadhrami elaborated that the foundation’s creation is rooted in the conviction that economic growth and social progress are inseparable. True investment, he said, starts with people, benefiting them through education, training, improved quality of life, and enhanced social stability.
Over the past decade, the foundation has undertaken 11 key developmental and social projects with investments exceeding RO 15.5 million. These initiatives have spanned health, education, youth empowerment, and community infrastructure. Rather than limited financial support, these projects have focused on creating long-term developmental impact by improving services, expanding training opportunities, and strengthening infrastructure across various governorates.
The initiative commenced effectively in 2018 through a collaboration of eight oil and gas companies that united to implement community programmes targeting priority sectors. This collective effort embodies a unified vision of social responsibility as a sustained national commitment rather than isolated or short-term actions.
The establishment of the Social Responsibility Development Foundation for the Energy Sector was formalised through Ministerial Decision No. 323/2025, marking a new, more organised phase in managing the sector’s community efforts. This move introduces a robust governance framework and institutional mechanisms designed to enhance project efficiency, ensure sustainability, and maximise social and economic returns.
Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, “Rikan” supports goals such as building a productive society, reinforcing public-private partnerships, promoting balanced regional development, empowering youth, and improving essential service quality.
The foundation is also expected to enhance the allocation of social responsibility funds, improve transparency and governance, and develop better methods to measure the socioeconomic impact of its projects. Additionally, it will assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and youth initiatives by offering capacity-building programmes and fostering sustainable economic opportunities, especially in governorates experiencing growth in oil, energy, and mining activities.
This strategic initiative sets a strong foundation for advancing Oman’s sustainable development ambitions through collaborative and impactful corporate social responsibility in the energy sector.
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The launch of the “Rikan” Development Foundation marks a strategic shift towards unified, sustainable social responsibility in Oman’s energy sector, presenting businesses with opportunities to collaborate more effectively and amplify developmental impact. For smart investors and entrepreneurs, this initiative signals increased government and sector support for youth empowerment, SME development, and community infrastructure, making it crucial to align ventures with Oman Vision 2040 priorities to capitalize on emerging social and economic programs. However, companies should also prepare for enhanced governance and accountability standards in CSR practices, requiring diligent compliance and impactful project execution.
