CEO TALK: A Measured Approach to Leadership – How Balanced Leadership Drives Business Success in Oman
MUSCAT, APRIL 20 — As Oman accelerates its transition towards a digitally empowered economy under Vision 2040, Ooredoo Oman is leading this transformation. CEO Saud al Riyami is driving the company’s evolution from a traditional telecom provider to a comprehensive digital infrastructure leader.
“Our top priority is completing Ooredoo Oman’s transformation into a full-spectrum digital infrastructure company,” Al Riyami states. This transformation is founded on three main pillars: expanding 5G coverage in both commercial hubs and underserved regions, operationalizing a pioneering data centre and submarine cable landing station in Salalah, and growing the fintech platform, walletii. The Salalah facility is notably the first in southern Oman to integrate advanced data hosting with an international submarine cable landing point, marking a major technological and strategic achievement. “Each initiative is designed to provide Oman’s consumers and businesses with digital services that fundamentally enhance their lives and work,” he adds.
This shift is underpinned by a fundamental change in how Ooredoo Oman engages its enterprise customers. Al Riyami highlights a key decision made during his tenure as Acting CEO: moving away from a transactional, product-focused approach to a collaborative, partnership-driven model. “We stopped selling connectivity and started solving business problems,” he explains. Although this required internal adjustments, it strengthened client relationships, improved retention, and positioned the company as a trusted partner for major ICT projects. “Good telecom decisions are often invisible when they work. I consider this shift a quiet but significant success,” he notes.
For Al Riyami, execution distinguishes ambition from achievement. “Strategy without execution is just a presentation,” he emphasizes, highlighting the importance of rigorous implementation. At Ooredoo Oman, all strategic priorities come with clear ownership, measurable outcomes, deadlines, and are monitored through structured quarterly reviews. He also stresses fostering a culture of transparency: “I want to hear bad news first and good news later. Companies that execute well thrive on honest internal conversations, not just strong strategies.”
Performance measurement is focused and direct. The company tracks essential indicators such as 5G coverage and data throughput in commercial zones, customer experience via Net Promoter Scores and digital adoption rates, and workforce metrics including Omanisation levels, internal promotions, and technical staff attrition. Cybersecurity effectiveness is gauged by response times to incidents, while sustainability is linked to energy consumption per network site. “These numbers reveal the true state of the company,” Al Riyami says.
Leadership and organizational culture play a central role. Al Riyami values intellectual honesty — openly admitting mistakes — alongside “constructive restlessness,” a drive to challenge existing norms. Equally vital is developing others: “A leader who makes those around them better is worth ten individual performers.” This leadership philosophy helped Ooredoo Oman cultivate a strong internal culture, earning it the Workplace Culture Champion award at the 2025 Global Digital HR Transformation Forum.
The company balances growth with resilience. “Risk management and growth are the same conversation,” Al Riyami explains. Investments in cybersecurity and infrastructure stress testing support this approach. The Salalah data centre enhances network resilience by diversifying infrastructure and reducing single points of failure. “We grow fast, but not fragile,” he stresses.
A notable feature of Ooredoo Oman’s strategy is a deep commitment to developing local talent and creating sustainable national value. For Al Riyami, the first Omani CEO of the company, Omanisation is not a year-end target but a core design principle integrated from the start of every hiring and development cycle. He views his role as a signal that leadership opportunities are open to Omani professionals. Investments in Ooredoo Academy, university partnerships, and technical certification programs support this vision by building a skilled talent pipeline aligned with the nation’s ambitions.
Sustainability is integral to operations, particularly given the energy demands of telecom infrastructure. Ooredoo Oman is investing in energy-efficient 5G technologies, with trials showing over a 30% improvement in energy use per site. Beyond efficiency, the company prioritizes digital inclusion to extend connectivity to underserved communities. “A sustainable business creates value for the broadest possible constituency, not just shareholders,” Al Riyami notes.
Looking ahead, Al Riyami advises aspiring Omani professionals to embrace challenges and learn from failure. “Be willing to be wrong loudly and early,” he says. “Those who never fail are those who never try difficult things.” He encourages young professionals to take on challenging roles, build meaningful networks, and commit to lifelong learning — wisdom drawn from his journey from Sultan Qaboos University to global institutions and real-world leadership.
As Ooredoo Oman expands its digital footprint, its strategy—anchored in infrastructure, innovation, and human capital—positions it as a key enabler of Oman’s digital future.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Ooredoo Oman’s strategic evolution into a full-spectrum digital infrastructure provider, led by CEO Saud al Riyami, signals vast growth opportunities for businesses by enhancing 5G coverage, digital services, and resilient infrastructure like the Salalah data centre. Smart investors should focus on ventures tied to digital transformation and fintech expansion, while entrepreneurs must prioritize innovation and talent development to align with Oman’s Vision 2040. The emphasis on transparency, risk management, and sustainability also highlights a stable ecosystem conducive to long-term digital investments.
