MUSCAT, MAY 18
Oman Investment Authority’s (OIA) divestment programme generated returns exceeding RO 2.8 billion by the end of 2025, reflecting the sovereign wealth fund’s strategy to recycle capital, attract private investment and redirect resources into higher-value opportunities. The details were presented during OIA’s media summit held at The St Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort on Monday.
The programme, launched in 2022, completed 24 divestments by the end of 2025, with proceeds redeployed into new investment opportunities aimed at supporting economic diversification and financial sustainability.
During 2025 alone, OIA completed six divestments, exceeding its annual target of five assets and highlighting the authority’s active portfolio management strategy.
The transactions included initial public offerings, direct exits and strategic partnerships across several sectors.
Among the most prominent deals was the IPO of a 20 per cent stake in Asyad Shipping Company aimed at broadening the investor base and increasing market liquidity.
OIA also fully divested its 10 per cent stake in Oman Tower Company and exited 69 per cent of Sohar Sulphur Fertiliser Company as part of efforts to reallocate investments towards sectors capable of generating stronger long-term returns.
The programme also included the partial sale of Oman Flour Mills Company through the divestment of 20 per cent of Oman Food Capital’s total 51 per cent stake. In addition, OIA partially divested 11.4 per cent of its stake in Asyad Container Terminal to improve asset efficiency and strengthen private sector participation.
Another major transaction involved a strategic partnership in the Shuwaimiyah Project, which included the partial divestment of 49 per cent in the quarry and 51 per cent in the port to attract quality investments and maximise value-added economic impact.
OIA said the divestment programme forms part of broader efforts to empower the private sector, attract foreign capital and strengthen economic diversification.
The authority also highlighted progress in transforming state-owned enterprises transferred to its management in 2020. According to OIA, several companies achieved profitability for the first time in more than two decades following operational restructuring and targeted reforms.
The authority said comprehensive assessments were conducted to address structural and operational challenges, followed by strategic initiatives aimed at improving governance, operational efficiency and financial performance.
OIA also expanded its role in economic diplomacy during 2025 through participation in several state visits led by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
These included visits to the Netherlands, Algeria, Russia, Spain and Belarus, resulting in agreements covering sectors such as green methanol, LNG, infrastructure, renewable energy, mining and water management.
The authority also expanded cooperation efforts in countries including Burkina Faso, Botswana, Mongolia and Hong Kong through agreements and investment discussions in sectors such as mining, agriculture, renewable energy and trade.
Meanwhile, Future Fund Oman (FFO), established with a capital base of RO 2 billion, continued supporting investment activity within the Sultanate of Oman.
Since its inception, the fund received 668 investment applications and approved 186 projects covering major ventures, SMEs and startups. Approved investments reached approximately RO 640 million while attracting foreign investments estimated at RO 743 million.
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