How ‘Ejada’ could change the way governments work
Published: 03:12 PM,Dec 14,2024 | EDITED : 07:12 PM,Dec 14,2024
Governments everywhere face mounting pressure to keep up with a rapidly changing world. People want better services, more accountability and solutions to challenges like unemployment and economic growth. It’s not an easy task, but Oman may be onto something with its “Ejada” initiative — a system designed to measure and improve government performance.
What makes “Ejada” special isn’t just what it does, but the way it could change how we think about running a government. This isn’t just about ticking boxes or meeting targets; it’s about empowering people, driving innovation and even involving the community in decision-making. With the right steps, “Ejada” could become a blueprint for better governance — not just in Oman, but around the world.
More than just a performance tracker
Most government performance systems are focused on monitoring results — who met their targets, who didn’t and what needs fixing. “Ejada” takes this a step further. It’s not just about measuring performance; it’s about helping people and organisations grow.
For example, “Ejada” links rewards to productivity, which means employees aren’t just doing their jobs — they’re motivated to excel. The system also makes evaluations more transparent, so employees can see where they stand and use that feedback to improve. Even more interesting, it turns national goals into personal ones, so every employee knows exactly how their work contributes to something bigger.
This isn’t just smart — it’s human. It recognises that people do their best work when they feel valued, supported and connected to a larger purpose.
A platform for innovation
But what if “Ejada” wasn’t just a system for improving performance? What if it became a platform for experimenting with new ideas in public administration?
Imagine this: the system starts using artificial intelligence to analyse trends in performance, spotting issues before they become problems. Or maybe hiring in the public sector becomes based on proven performance instead of just credentials — rewarding people for their results, not just their résumés.
And why not rethink rewards altogether? Sure, financial incentives are great, but what about offering top performers opportunities to work on national projects or attend global conferences? That’s the kind of recognition that inspires real pride and ambition.
Making a real impact on the economy
“Ejada” isn’t just about making the government more efficient — it’s about driving real economic change. By encouraging public institutions to buy local products and hire local talent, the system directly supports Oman’s economy.
It’s also helping tackle unemployment by pushing the public sector to play a bigger role in job creation. And with its focus on transparency and efficiency, “Ejada” is making Oman a more attractive place for investors. When people and businesses trust the system, everyone benefits.
What could “Ejada” look like in 2030?
The potential here is enormous. By 2030, “Ejada” could be so much more than a performance system. It could become a hub for innovation, where employees and citizens collaborate to create better public services; a regional training centre, helping other countries learn from Oman’s success and a global standard, showing developing nations how to modernise their public sectors.
These aren’t just big ideas — they’re achievable goals if Oman continues to invest in the system and stay open to new possibilities.
Why “Ejada” matters
At its core, “Ejada” is about more than numbers, metrics, or policies. It’s about people — helping employees do their best work and creating a government that truly serves its people.
The world is watching for new models of governance that are fair, effective and forward-thinking. With “Ejada”, Oman has a chance to lead by example. If the system keeps evolving — embracing new technologies, encouraging innovation and strengthening its connection to the community — it could redefine what good governance looks like for generations to come.
Qasim al Maashani
The author is the head of Oman Observer's Business section.
What makes “Ejada” special isn’t just what it does, but the way it could change how we think about running a government. This isn’t just about ticking boxes or meeting targets; it’s about empowering people, driving innovation and even involving the community in decision-making. With the right steps, “Ejada” could become a blueprint for better governance — not just in Oman, but around the world.
More than just a performance tracker
Most government performance systems are focused on monitoring results — who met their targets, who didn’t and what needs fixing. “Ejada” takes this a step further. It’s not just about measuring performance; it’s about helping people and organisations grow.
For example, “Ejada” links rewards to productivity, which means employees aren’t just doing their jobs — they’re motivated to excel. The system also makes evaluations more transparent, so employees can see where they stand and use that feedback to improve. Even more interesting, it turns national goals into personal ones, so every employee knows exactly how their work contributes to something bigger.
This isn’t just smart — it’s human. It recognises that people do their best work when they feel valued, supported and connected to a larger purpose.
A platform for innovation
But what if “Ejada” wasn’t just a system for improving performance? What if it became a platform for experimenting with new ideas in public administration?
Imagine this: the system starts using artificial intelligence to analyse trends in performance, spotting issues before they become problems. Or maybe hiring in the public sector becomes based on proven performance instead of just credentials — rewarding people for their results, not just their résumés.
And why not rethink rewards altogether? Sure, financial incentives are great, but what about offering top performers opportunities to work on national projects or attend global conferences? That’s the kind of recognition that inspires real pride and ambition.
Making a real impact on the economy
“Ejada” isn’t just about making the government more efficient — it’s about driving real economic change. By encouraging public institutions to buy local products and hire local talent, the system directly supports Oman’s economy.
It’s also helping tackle unemployment by pushing the public sector to play a bigger role in job creation. And with its focus on transparency and efficiency, “Ejada” is making Oman a more attractive place for investors. When people and businesses trust the system, everyone benefits.
What could “Ejada” look like in 2030?
The potential here is enormous. By 2030, “Ejada” could be so much more than a performance system. It could become a hub for innovation, where employees and citizens collaborate to create better public services; a regional training centre, helping other countries learn from Oman’s success and a global standard, showing developing nations how to modernise their public sectors.
These aren’t just big ideas — they’re achievable goals if Oman continues to invest in the system and stay open to new possibilities.
Why “Ejada” matters
At its core, “Ejada” is about more than numbers, metrics, or policies. It’s about people — helping employees do their best work and creating a government that truly serves its people.
The world is watching for new models of governance that are fair, effective and forward-thinking. With “Ejada”, Oman has a chance to lead by example. If the system keeps evolving — embracing new technologies, encouraging innovation and strengthening its connection to the community — it could redefine what good governance looks like for generations to come.
Qasim al Maashani
The author is the head of Oman Observer's Business section.