Oman’s digital economy has attracted RO 1.2 billion in Information Technology investments over the past five years, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology announced during a press briefing in Muscat.
Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, revealed that nearly 70 percent of these investments were driven by direct foreign capital, reflecting growing international confidence in Oman’s digital transformation agenda.
The government’s digital transformation program accelerated sharply in 2025. Overall performance rose from 73 percent at the end of 2024 to 94 percent by the close of 2025. The average digital maturity across government entities reached 85 percent, up from 77 percent a year earlier.
By the end of 2025, 2,869 priority government services had been simplified, while 2,277 core services and automated permits were fully digitized, compared to 1,700 services at the end of 2024. According to the minister, digital services have reduced in-person visits to government offices by approximately 25 percent.
The Ministry launched the Unified National Portal for Government Services, consolidating around 36 digital services under a single platform. It also introduced the “Thiqah” digital identity application to enable secure access to e-services and electronic document signing. The “Tajaob” platform was launched to receive public suggestions, complaints, and reports, strengthening participatory digital governance.
To build national digital capacity, the Ministry introduced the Irtiqaa Programme, providing specialized training in digital project management, change management, and data analytics.
Employment trends highlight deeper structural change. Omanisation in the ICT sector rose from 38 percent in 2024 to 45.5 percent in 2025. In technical, specialized, and leadership roles, Omanisation increased to 69 percent from 63 percent.
The Makeen initiative has trained more than 11,000 graduates and jobseekers since launch, including 2,032 beneficiaries in 2025. It also approved 21 freelance ICT activities, expanding flexible employment pathways.
Supporting startups remains a central priority. The Oman Startup Hub now serves as a national digital interface connecting entrepreneurs with investors, incubators, accelerators, and support institutions. To date, more than 200 technology startups, 48 incubators and accelerators, and over RO 127 million in funding have been registered.
The Ministry also launched the National Open Data Portal, providing access to official government datasets in open formats to support innovation, research, and private-sector engagement.
Plans are underway to establish a Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre focused on artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, and big data analytics.
Oman’s global standing in digital development improved significantly in 2025. The Sultanate ranked 41st in the E-Government Development Index, 50th in the Network Readiness Index, and achieved Tier One status in the Global Cybersecurity Index. It advanced in the UN ESCWA E-Government Services Maturity Index, ranked first in the Arab world and 50th globally in the 2025 Postal Development Index, and achieved first place in West Asia and ninth globally for open data in 2024.
In semiconductors, the Ministry supported the second Global Semiconductor and Electronic Chips Executive Summit in Oman, bringing together around 140 international CEOs across design, cooling technologies, and equipment manufacturing. Building on this momentum, Oman announced a National Semiconductor Programme to integrate public and private sector efforts, focusing on R&D, workforce localization, and the establishment of a Semiconductor Centre of Excellence.
A five-year talent roadmap will train Omani professionals in chip design, cooling technologies, and advanced manufacturing in collaboration with international partners. The programme aims to position Oman as a neutral regional hub for semiconductor investment, offering regulatory stability, advanced digital infrastructure, and access to global markets.
The space sector is also expanding. By 2025, employment exceeded 400 across public and private entities, with 25 companies active in 2024. The sector contributed 0.041 percent to GDP. Oman signed an agreement in 2025 to design, manufacture, and launch a national satellite, with implementation expected in 2026 to establish sovereign space capabilities.
To stimulate innovation, the Ministry launched the Oman Space Accelerator for 10 local startups and continues to support Etlaq Spaceport with technical and operational backing for upcoming missions.
Oman’s RO 1.2 billion digital investment surge reflects a rapidly maturing tech ecosystem. With foreign capital, nationwide digitization, startup infrastructure, and strategic bets on semiconductors and space, the Sultanate is positioning itself as a regional digital hub for entrepreneurs and long-term investors.
