Oman just rolled out the next chapter of its digital economy plan, and the numbers are hard to ignore. The Sultanate wants its tech sector to add $3.9 billion to the national economy by 2030, pull in $779 million in fresh technology investments, and create 3,000 jobs every single year. For anyone in the GCC watching where regional tech money and talent are heading next, this is one to track.
What Oman’s digital economy push means for the wider GCC
The second phase of Oman’s National Program for Digital Economy runs from 2026 to 2030. It was launched under the oversight of Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Oman’s Minister of Finance, through the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
At the launch, officials revealed that digital activity already makes up 9 percent of Oman’s GDP, based on a joint survey by the National Centre for Statistics and Information and the ministry. That’s a meaningful base to build on, and it shows Oman isn’t starting from zero.
The plan focuses on digital transformation across key industries, wider use of e-commerce and electronic payments, and stronger support for small and medium enterprises trying to go digital. Artificial intelligence is also a big part of the strategy, with the goal of using AI to boost productivity and grow homegrown digital industries rather than just importing foreign tech.
To help track all this progress, Oman has built a new strategic intelligence platform with the World Economic Forum. It’s designed to spot emerging trends early and give policymakers real data to work with, rather than guesswork. For businesses and investors across the technology landscape in the Gulf, this kind of data-driven approach could make Oman a more predictable, easier market to plan around.
Omanization and jobs: the numbers behind the headlines
One of the most striking figures from the launch is the jump in Omanization within tech roles. Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology, said Omanization in technological activities climbed from 33 percent in 2022 to 46 percent in 2026. In technology professions specifically, the figure now stands at 72 percent, up from 50 percent.
Put simply, more Omani nationals are landing tech jobs than ever before. Over the past five years, the program has created more than 5,000 technology jobs for Omanis. That’s a real shift in how the country is building its workforce, and it signals where the government wants young talent to head next.
The first phase of the program also trained over 170 semiconductor specialists and 800 AI specialists. It even led to a new Master of Science degree in Digital Transformation and Innovation, launched with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. For students and professionals across the GCC eyeing a career shift into tech, these are the kinds of programs worth watching closely.
On the startup side, Oman has set up a dedicated zone for AI startups and an AI studio that has already produced 50 smart products. The country has also backed the creation of 10 local startups in the space sector, showing its ambitions go beyond everyday digital services.
To get more SMEs involved in government tech projects, the ministry signed contracts with 251 companies and set up 48 business incubators and accelerators. It has also handed out more than $330 million in funding to support entrepreneurs and innovators. That’s a serious amount of capital flowing into Oman’s startup ecosystem, and it opens doors for GCC-based founders and investors looking at opportunities beyond the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
For businesses and job seekers across the UAE, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the wider GCC, Oman’s move adds another serious player to the region’s digital economy race. With clear job targets, growing local talent, and real funding behind startups, it’s worth watching how fast Oman can turn these plans into results by 2030. As this report from GCC Business News shows, the groundwork has already started.
