Muscat – Crowdfunding platforms in Oman witnessed strong growth in 2025, with total financing volumes more than tripling as businesses increasingly turned to alternative funding channels to support expansion and entrepreneurial ventures.

According to data released by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the value of financing raised through crowdfunding platforms reached approximately RO19mn in 2025, compared with RO5.9mn in 2024, underscoring the growing role of digital financing solutions in the sultanate’s evolving financial landscape.

The number of projects financed through crowdfunding platforms also more than doubled to 243 in 2025, up from 114 projects a year earlier, reflecting rising confidence among entrepreneurs and investors in this alternative financing model.

Since the launch of regulated crowdfunding activity in Oman in 2022, cumulative financing has reached RO29.4mn, supporting 357 projects across a wide range of sectors. The figures highlight the expanding contribution of crowdfunding platforms to business development and economic diversification efforts.

The sector has recorded steady growth since its inception. The number of funded projects increased from 21 in 2022 to 49 in 2023, before rising to 114 in 2024 and 243 in 2025. Financing volumes followed a similar trajectory, growing from RO1.7mn in 2022 to RO2.8mn in 2023, RO5.9mn in 2024 and RO19mn last year.

The FSA data showed that seven licensed crowdfunding platforms were operating in Oman during 2025. This compares with nine platforms in previous years and reflects a trend towards greater market efficiency and concentration among the most active and sustainable operators.

Projects financed through crowdfunding platforms span a diverse range of sectors, including food and beverages, media and marketing, vehicle services, interior design, trading activities, shipping and logistics, technology, manufacturing of chemical and cleaning products, shopping centres and beauty salons.

The broad sectoral representation demonstrates the flexibility of crowdfunding as a financing mechanism and its growing appeal among businesses of different sizes and industries.

Crowdfunding has emerged as an important source of finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups by enabling businesses to raise capital from a large pool of investors through digital platforms. The model also supports financial inclusion, broadens access to funding and encourages innovation by providing alternatives to traditional financing channels.

The FSA noted that the rapid expansion of the sector reflects increasing investment awareness as well as the development of Oman’s regulatory framework, which has enhanced investor confidence and strengthened the sector’s prospects for further growth.

The authority began regulating crowdfunding activities in early 2021 through the introduction of a dedicated legislative and supervisory framework aimed at protecting investors and promoting market transparency. Oman’s first licensed crowdfunding platform commenced operations in 2022, laying the foundation for a secure digital financing ecosystem to support entrepreneurs and SMEs.