Digital Economy Boosts Oman’s GDP by RO 800m: What This Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs
MUSCAT: Oman’s digital economy is rapidly becoming a key driver of the country’s economic growth and diversification, with its direct contribution reaching approximately RO 800 million in 2023, according to a report released by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT).
گزارش، با عنوان “The Harvest of the Digital Economy in the Sultanate of Oman: From Establishment to Empowerment,” outlines the achievements made between 2021 and 2025 under the National Digital Economy Programme.
Launched in 2021, this programme aims to accelerate digital transformation across the economy, focusing on eight strategic areas: government digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital industry, space technologies, e-commerce, financial technology, and digital infrastructure. MoTCIT oversees five of these areas, while the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Central Bank of Oman, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority manage the remaining initiatives.
Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, emphasized the ministry’s ambitious vision to establish a sustainable and advanced digital economy, aligned with the directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. He highlighted key efforts to enhance digital government services, empower a digital society, and support business digitalisation, noting that these initiatives have improved Oman’s global rankings, particularly in the E-Government Development Index and the Cybersecurity Readiness Index.
Notable initiatives include the Omani Language Model (Ma’een), which aims to bolster digital sovereignty, the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Studio, expansion of 5G networks, and significant enhancements to national digital infrastructure.
Dr Ali bin Amer al Shaithani, Under-Secretary of MoTCIT for Communications and Information Technology, described the National Digital Economy Programme as a comprehensive framework designed to foster a knowledge-based economy through advanced technology and innovation.
Achievements under the programme include the creation of a unified digital government portal, the Irtaqa programme which develops national talent in digital transformation, and the Tajawub platform for public suggestions and complaints. Over the past five years, 3,166 government services were streamlined, 2,277 permits and services digitised, and more than 29 million digital government transactions processed annually. The national integration platform facilitated the exchange of 2.26 billion data records, while over 200 million electronic authentication requests were handled with a 94% success rate.
Investments in artificial intelligence have surpassed RO 79 million, supporting initiatives such as the National Generative AI Linguistic Model, the Oman Digital Triangle, and the creation of a dedicated zone for AI startups. The AI ecosystem now includes around 22 specialized companies.
In terms of human capital development, over 11,000 Omanis have been trained through the Makeen initiative, with Omanisation in technical and specialized IT roles reaching approximately 69%, representing 45.5% of the IT workforce.
The cybersecurity sector has also grown substantially, with about 8,000 Omanis and 5,000 international participants involved in various programmes. Additionally, three innovation centers have been established in academic institutions, and the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy has provided nearly 3,000 specialized training sessions for government employees.
Oman has made early advancements in the space sector, launching its first experimental rocket from the Duqm launch site in 2024 and signing an agreement to design and manufacture the country’s first satellite. The sector now comprises 25 companies employing roughly 401 specialists.
E-commerce continues to expand, with transaction volumes reaching around RO 288 million in 2025. Over 14,000 licenses have been issued for online commercial activities, and 313 digital stores are registered on the Ma’roof Oman platform.
Significant progress has been made in digital infrastructure, with mobile broadband coverage reaching approximately 99% of the population and high-speed fixed broadband accessible to 100% of residential units via fibre optics, 5G networks, or low-Earth orbit satellite services.
Looking forward, the programme’s next phase (2026–2030) aims to expand digital transformation centers across Oman’s governorates, strengthen national cybersecurity companies, develop a local payment card system, enhance cloud computing infrastructure, and increase the digital economy’s contribution to 10% of GDP by 2040. — ONA
تحلیل ویژه از عمانت | بازار عمان را کشف کنید
Oman’s rapid digital transformation presents a strategic opportunity for businesses to leverage advanced technologies like AI, 5G, and digital infrastructure to boost efficiency and innovation. However, companies must also navigate emerging cybersecurity risks as digital adoption accelerates. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider focusing on tech-driven sectors such as AI startups, e-commerce, and space technology, aligning with the government’s vision to increase the digital economy’s GDP share to 10% by 2040.
