Muscat – The number of Omani companies operating in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector reached 42 by the end of August 2026, up from 22 last year, marking a 91% growth as the sultanate strengthens efforts to expand AI applications across economic and development sectors.

Tawah bint Abdullah Al Dawood, Head of the Development and Studies Section at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), said Omani AI startups are playing an increasingly important role in supporting the country’s digital transformation.

Speaking to Oman News Agency, she said these companies are developing innovative technological solutions and products that improve business efficiency, enhance services, automate processes and enable better use of data in decision-making.

Tawah said the growth of local AI companies reflected the rapid development of Oman’s specialised technology ecosystem and their ability to move from ideas and prototypes to commercially viable solutions for use across government and private-sector fields.

She noted that AI startups were helping transform the technology from an emerging concept into practical applications, supporting the development of an innovation- and knowledge-based digital economy in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

The companies are also contributing to the localisation of technical knowledge and expertise by developing local solutions and building national capabilities in AI, data and software development. This is creating opportunities for Omani professionals to work in advanced technology fields and gain practical experience.

Tawah said the growing number of successful AI companies was also strengthening private-sector confidence in the economic opportunities offered by the technology, encouraging greater adoption and investment.

She added that Omani AI startups had growing opportunities to enter regional and international markets because AI-based digital solutions can be scaled beyond local markets.

She said participation in international and regional technology events, programmes and competitions, alongside partnerships with companies and investors, would help showcase Omani capabilities and create new opportunities for expansion.

MTCIT is also working to strengthen data and indicators related to the AI sector to enable more comprehensive and accurate measurement of investment and growth in the future.