Interview: Sultan Al Wahaibi
Where has the growing demand for digital infrastructure contributed to economic diversification?
SULTAN AL WAHAIBI: High-speed broadband connectivity has become a key enabler for multiple sectors, including logistics, tourism, health care and education. Reliable digital infrastructure supports the expansion of digital businesses, facilitates e-commerce, and boosts the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), all of which contribute to economic growth.
However, one of the main challenges is ensuring equitable access to digital services across Oman’s diverse regions. Urban centres such as Muscat have benefitted from extensive fibre-optic coverage, but rural and remote areas still face infrastructure gaps that can limit business activity and economic participation. Expanding coverage in these areas requires substantial investment, and the cost of deploying fibre-optic networks in low-density regions remains a barrier. Addressing this challenge will require continued public-private partnerships, innovative connectivity solutions such as satellite broadband, and targeted government incentives to bridge the digital divide.
How can Oman leverage smart city technologies to drive economic growth and position itself as a regional leader in sustainable urban development?
AL WAHAIBI: Oman has a strong opportunity to enhance its position as a regional centre for smart and sustainable urban development through strategic investment in digital infrastructure. Smart city initiatives in key areas such as Muscat and Sohar reflect the country’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies into urban planning. Digital innovation – including internet of things, artificial intelligence and big data analytics – can improve the efficiency of urban services, optimise resource management and create more liveable cities that attract talent and investment.
From an economic perspective, the growth of smart cities presents significant opportunities. A well-developed smart city ecosystem can attract foreign direct investment, stimulate the creation of technology-driven businesses and enhance the competitiveness of priority sectors.
What role does broadband infrastructure play in attracting foreign investment?
AL WAHAIBI: Broadband infrastructure supports business expansion, workforce mobility and economic competitiveness. The continued investment in high-speed internet directly attracts foreign investors, particularly in industries such as cloud computing, data centres and digital services. Beyond foreign investment, reliable broadband connectivity also supports the growth of the domestic economy, particularly SMEs. These businesses benefit from improved access to digital tools, cloudbased services and e-commerce platforms, enabling them to expand operations and reach new markets. The shift towards digital-first business models underscores the need for ongoing infrastructure expansion to maintain Oman’s global competitiveness.
Which measures can bridge the digital divide and ensure that SMEs are using modern technologies?
AL WAHAIBI: SMEs are a significant driver of Oman’s economic diversification, and their ability to access and leverage digital technologies is crucial to their growth. However, many businesses still face challenges in adopting digital solutions due to high costs, limited technical expertise and infrastructure limitations. To help bridge this gap, Oman should prioritise initiatives that expand digital accessibility. This includes targeted government programmes subsidising cloud-based services, providing financial support for adopting new technologies, and delivering training programmes focused on digital literacy and e-commerce. Encouraging the development of innovation centres and business incubators should also create more opportunities to leverage emerging digital tools and scale operations more effectively.
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