Oman’s digital economy has officially transitioned from a foundational phase to a period of “empowerment,” contributing approximately RO 800 million (roughly $2.08 billion) to the national GDP as of 2023. This milestone is a key pillar of Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to shift the nation from oil-dependency toward a knowledge-based society.
Under the National Digital Economy Programme (2021–2025), the government has aggressively modernized infrastructure and public services. A major highlight is the Ma’een (Muaeen) Omani Large Language Model, the first national project of its kind, designed to preserve digital sovereignty by integrating Omani dialect and cultural nuances into government AI applications.
Key Achievements (2021–2025)
- Government Efficiency: Over 3,166 services were streamlined, and 2,277 permits were fully digitized.
- AI Investment: More than RO 79 million has been invested in AI, including the establishment of an “AI Studio” for startups and the national Ma’een AI model.
- Connectivity: High-speed fixed broadband now covers 100% of residential units via fiber optics, 5G, or LEO satellites, while mobile broadband reaches 99% of the population.
- Human Capital: The Makeen initiative has trained over 11,000 Omanis in digital skills, raising Omanisation in technical IT roles to 69%.
The Road to 2030 and Beyond
As Oman enters its Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), the focus will shift toward regional empowerment and global service exports.
| Phase | Strategic Target | Key Goal |
| 2025 | 3% of GDP | Completion of the foundational Digital Economy Programme. |
| 2030 | 5% of GDP | Establishing Digital Transformation Centers in every governorate. |
| 2040 | 10% of GDP | Full integration of digital industry as a primary non-oil revenue driver. |
Future Strategic Initiatives
- Decentralized Innovation: Creating digital transformation centers in every governorate tailored to local economic needs.
- Digital Sovereignty: Developing a national payment card system and localizing the manufacturing of servers and cloud infrastructure.
- Space & Intelligence: Launching the first Omani-made satellite and utilizing a national “Predictive Intelligence Platform” to revolutionize government decision-making.
