A powerful startup ecosystem requires three things: capital, infrastructure, and, most critically, human capital. Oman’s investment in its ports, its Future Fund, and its zero-tax policies are the scaffolding, but the workforce—the people who build, code, and innovate—is the ultimate source of value.
Recognizing that the goal of achieving 10% digital GDP by 2040 hinges on skilled workers, Oman has launched a centralized, large-scale talent initiative designed not just to train job seekers but to cultivate a robust digital creator class.
The Talent Pipeline: Building a Skilled Workforce for the Future
To meet the urgent need for advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) launched the comprehensive Makeen initiative in September 2022.
The objective is highly targeted: to equip Omani youth with the most in-demand, modern digital skills globally. This includes critical future-facing disciplines such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Big Data
- Programming and Application Development
The scale of the program is immense, aiming to train 10,000 young Omanis by 2025. Its impact has already exceeded expectations in reach and effectiveness:
- The program attracted over 25,000 applicants.
- More than 8,000 have completed training in specialized pathways.
- Crucially, the initiative has achieved an employment rate of over 60% among its graduates, showcasing the high relevance of the training to market needs.
By focusing on these specific technical competencies, Makeen directly enhances the competitiveness of the Omani workforce and develops the national talent necessary for rapid technological advancements, addressing the identified need to increase the prevalence of advanced ICT skills across the population.
Oman’s success in attracting talent has earned it a global ranking, ranking among the top 10 countries in attracting talent according to the 2023 Startup Genome Report for the MENA region.
Commercializing Talent: Success in Action
The efficacy of the Makeen initiative and the broader talent strategy is proven through the success of domestic companies built on these high-value skills.
A prime example is SafaQat, an Omani digital procurement platform founded in 2020. This company utilizes AI-powered infrastructure to digitize the tendering process, demonstrating the successful commercialization of advanced technology in a high-efficiency sector.
SafaQat recently raised funding from the Future Fund Oman (FFO) and Idrak Group, validating the government’s mandate to support AI-powered infrastructure development and expansion into governmental procurement.
This success story illustrates that the investment in skills is creating corresponding high-value jobs domestically, providing a critical feedback loop for the national economy.
Nurturing the Culture of Entrepreneurship
While Oman ranks favorably in international indices for cultural and social support for entrepreneurial ventures, achieving pervasive, long-term economic transformation requires a deeper cultural shift.
Sociological studies indicate that challenges persist in fundamentally shifting societal mindsets away from traditional reliance on public sector employment security and toward embracing the risks inherent in entrepreneurship.
The opportunity ahead lies in expanding the foundational work being done in education and finance to cultivate a robust entrepreneurial culture nationwide.
To maximize the human capital potential, the focus must now expand to:
- Accessible Education: Providing more detailed and accessible entrepreneurial education to all demographics, especially those in rural areas and highlands, where socio-cultural, financial, and legal friction points remain.
- R&D Investment: Continuously investing in Research and Development (R&D) to ensure new talent is working on differentiated, proprietary technologies, not just basic service provision.
- Expanded Financing: Systematically developing and expanding financial mechanisms for SMEs across the entire country.
By strategically prioritizing human capital—through initiatives like Makeen and by fostering a pervasive risk-taking culture—Oman is creating not just an environment for successful companies, but a self-sustaining ecosystem built on the capabilities of its own people.
