Oman targets investment in AI and digital services

MUSCAT, OCT 13
Oman is seeking to capture a greater share of the economic value generated by expanding digital infrastructure, emerging technologies and international connectivity, as rising demand for digital services opens new investment opportunities across the region.
The focus is shifting beyond infrastructure development towards attracting international capital, expanding high-value activities and building a digital ecosystem that enables businesses to operate, innovate and serve regional and global markets from Oman.
Aladdin Baitfadhil, Chief Executive Officer of Omantel, said generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the region was moving from ambition to implementation, driving investment and innovation across the technology value chain.
He said the opportunity extended beyond digital and critical infrastructure to data sovereignty, enterprise and consumer applications, and start-ups developing solutions for the emerging AI ecosystem.
Oman’s investment strategy is increasingly centred on attracting global capital, localising high-value activities and developing the capacity to export digital services. This offers opportunities to strengthen the contribution of telecommunications and technology to economic diversification, productivity and private-sector growth.
The country is seeking to enhance its investment appeal through foreign investment and partnerships with international companies. These efforts aim to accelerate digital infrastructure development, bring in advanced technologies and expertise, and create opportunities for Omani companies within expanding digital value chains.
The Leaders’ AXIS 2026 conference provided a platform for Omani stakeholders to present market opportunities and investment priorities to international participants.
It also enabled companies seeking to enter or expand in Oman and the wider region to identify potential partners and clients, assess connectivity requirements and explore long-term collaboration.
Bocar Ba, Chief Executive Officer of the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, told Observer that Oman’s strategic location and established infrastructure strengthened its potential as a destination for digital investment.
He said Oman could serve as a regional platform for telecommunications, space-related activities and broader digital development, including AI, cloud computing and fifth-generation (5G) networks, with sixth-generation (6G) technologies expected to follow.
Abdulrahman Saud al Humaimi, Zone Services Manager at the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), highlighted the importance of business opportunities and operational readiness in investment decisions.
Attracting investors, he said, required more than infrastructure. It depended on creating an integrated ecosystem in which companies could establish operations, scale their businesses and compete effectively.
This places greater emphasis on project readiness, regulatory clarity, reliable energy supplies, skilled workers, market demand and coordination among relevant institutions. Together, these factors help determine whether infrastructure investment translates into commercially viable projects and sustained economic activity.
For Oman, the opportunity lies in connecting its infrastructure and international connectivity with growing demand for data centres, cloud computing, AI-enabled services and advanced telecommunications.
Developing these activities could attract long-term investment while opening opportunities for local suppliers, technology companies and skilled professionals.
The approach supports Oman’s broader diversification agenda by encouraging investment in the networks, data centres and technologies underpinning the digital economy.
Securing a larger share of that economy will depend on translating infrastructure investment into local business participation, technology transfer, employment and digital exports, alongside stronger access to regional and international markets.