Oman Digitizes Over 2,000 Government Services: What This Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs in the Digital Economy
MUSCAT: Oman’s digital economy is evolving from an ambitious concept into a billion-dollar powerhouse significantly boosting the nation’s GDP, stated Dr. Ali bin Amer al Shidani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology.
During a recent Ramadhan session, Dr. Al Shidani revealed that Oman ranks second in the Gulf region, third in the Arab world, and 18th globally among the fastest-growing digital economies, according to the Global Digital Economy Report 2026 by the International Data Center Association. This report highlights Oman’s notable advancements in various aspects of the digital economy, reflecting the country’s progress in digital maturity and its role in fostering sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Al Shidani emphasized Oman’s goal to increase the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from the current level of approximately 2% to 3% by 2025, with an ambitious target of reaching 10% by 2040. He added that this figure is expected to rise further as the digital ecosystem matures and more precise data is gathered, in collaboration with the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
The government’s commitment to enhancing the digital economy is exemplified by the National Digital Economy Programme, approved by the Council of Ministers, which runs parallel to Oman Vision 2040. Additionally, the integration of the digital economy as a standalone pillar in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan marks a crucial step aligning with the global trend towards innovation-driven and technologically advanced economies.
Globally, the Global Digital Economy Report 2026 underscores the powerful economic impact of the digital sector, which expanded significantly in 2025 and is projected to continue growing in 2026. Investments in digital technologies like ICT equipment, software, and databases are key drivers of this growth. The global digital economy is expected to increase by 9.5% in 2026—over three times the IMF’s forecasted GDP growth rate—potentially accounting for about 22% of global GDP, valued at approximately US$28 trillion.
Locally, Oman has achieved remarkable progress in digital government services, digitizing over 2,000 services between 2021 and 2025. This resulted in 48 million digital transactions in 2025, marking a 78% increase compared to the previous year.
In the employment sector, 1,289 Omani nationals worked in IT roles across 33 specialized technical professions in 2025, demonstrating the rising demand for digital expertise in Oman’s labor market.
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Oman’s rapid ascent as a top global digital economy player signals a significant opportunity for businesses to integrate advanced digital technologies and innovate to capture growing market demand. The government’s strategic focus, highlighted by ambitious GDP contribution targets and extensive digitization of services, creates fertile ground for entrepreneurs and investors to capitalize on digital transformation trends. Smart stakeholders should prioritize digital skill development and technology investment now to stay ahead in this evolving landscape.
