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Observer
03-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
A vision for a sustainable digital future
Digital transformation is a crucial catalyst for a country's development. Its adoption across various sectors enables nations to achieve significant improvements in productivity, efficiency and innovation. The Sultanate of Oman is a country that has made significant strides towards creating a digitally empowered society and economy. Aligning with Oman Vision 2040, the country's digital transformation aims to build a sustainable knowledge society and increase the contribution of the digital economy to its GDP, improve government services and empower the workforce. The country is now poised to unlock new opportunities, enhance efficiency and improve the quality of life for its citizens and residents. Many international agencies have acknowledged and honoured Oman for this transformative journey to modernise its economy and society. In this context is Oman's improvement 2024 ranking in the Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index (GEMS) with a score of 72 per cent, up from 66 per cent in 2023. The report released by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia covers 17 Arab countries and assesses digital government performance across three key dimensions – service availability and development, service uptake and satisfaction, and government outreach and engagement. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates led the index with scores of 96 per cent and 95 per cent, respectively, reflecting strong progress in national digital transformation. The index covers a wide range of sectors, including health, education, transportation, finance, justice, trade, tourism and social affairs. In a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 'underpinned by its Vision 2040, Oman has embarked on an ambitious reform agenda aiming at reducing its reliance on hydrocarbons and creating a more sustainable, more inclusive and knowledge-based economy.' Oman Vision 2040 aims to elevate the country's ranking to be among the top 20 countries globally in developing electronic services and improving its global standing in e-government development and ease of doing business indicators. The IMF eLibrary report that took stock of the state of digital transformation in Oman highlights the recent launch of the country's National Digital Economy Programme also known as "Tahweel" that aims to provide a strategic direction for the development of the digital economy and increase its contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from its current level estimated at 2 per cent to 10 per cent by 2040. The Tahweel programme plays a crucial role in enhancing participation and enabling individuals, citizens, residents and private sector institutions to contribute effectively to developing government services by submitting reports, complaints and suggestions. In addition, this programme aims to advance Oman's global ranking in various digital economy indicators identified in Vision 2040, such as the e-government development index and the network readiness index. However, the IMF report suggests that while Oman has progressed well on many aspects of digitalisation, such as Internet penetration and 4G and 5G population coverage, it still needs to deploy additional investments and efforts to match its GCC peers on several other aspects. 'Further efforts are particularly needed to raise Internet connection speed, increase the prevalence of advanced ICT skills among the population, usher in digital innovation and promote e-commerce. The analyses indicate that enhanced digitalisation, can, in turn, engender substantial gains," the report suggests. A report by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology stated that government entities in Oman have made remarkable progress in implementing digital transformation requirements. According to the report, the Tahweel programme has achieved an overall performance rate of 73 per cent by the end of November 2024, a significant increase from 53 per cent in 2023. Government institutions demonstrated an average performance of 77 per cent in meeting digital transformation requirements, while governorates averaged 71 per cent. BLURB Oman is now poised to unlock new opportunities, enhance efficiency and improve the quality of life for its citizens and residents. Many international agencies have acknowledged and honoured Oman for this transformative journey to modernise its economy and society
Observer
25-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman's digital transformation progress reaches 73 per cent
MUSCAT: The National Government Digital Transformation Programme, known as "Tahweel," has achieved an overall performance rate of 73% by the end of November 2024, a significant increase from 53% in 2023. Government institutions demonstrated an average performance of 77% in meeting digital transformation requirements, while governorates averaged 71%. A total of 49 government entities and governorates were assessed as part of the transformation process. According to the annual report on digital transformation issued by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, government institutions have made remarkable progress in implementing digital transformation requirements. Four government entities — Muscat Governorate, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, the National Centre for Statistics and Information, and the Oman Investment Authority — achieved the advanced level for the first time, representing 8% of the total institutions evaluated. Additionally, 38 government entities, accounting for 78%, attained above-average performance, while six institutions (12%) reached the average level. Only one institution (2%) fell below average and none were classified at the low level. The report highlighted the top-performing service institutions in digital transformation, with Muscat Governorate, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, and the Royal Oman Police leading the rankings. Among non-service institutions, the Follow-up Unit for the Implementation of Oman Vision 2040, the National Centre for Statistics and Information, and the Oman Investment Authority were recognised as the best-performing entities. These institutions have demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing digital efficiency and improving government services in line with international standards. Between 2021 and 2024, the government simplified procedures for 2,680 services out of a targeted 2,869, achieving a 93% completion rate. In 2024 alone, 481 services underwent simplification. Meanwhile, digitalisation efforts resulted in 1,700 services being digitised, including automated permit activities, out of a total 2,523 services targeted for digitisation by the end of 2025. This represents a 67% achievement rate for priority digital services, with 355 services digitised in 2024 alone. Recognising the importance of digital platforms in improving service accessibility, the report emphasised the role of digital initiatives in boosting efficiency across government institutions. In 2024, government entities developed and launched 11 new mobile applications designed to enhance service delivery for citizens and residents. Several key digital platforms were introduced, including the "Rehabilitation" platform by the Ministry of Social Development, the "Development" and "Amlak" platforms by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, and the electronic portal for judicial services by the Supreme Judicial Council. Other significant platforms included the Environment Authority's "Naqi" National Air Quality Index, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals' "Energy" platform, and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion's "Hazm" and "Marouf Oman" platforms. Additionally, electronic portals were launched for Al Buraimi, Al Wusta, and Al Batinah South Governorates, reinforcing Oman's commitment to digital transformation under Oman Vision 2040. The report outlined major achievements in central digital projects, including the Unified Portal for Government Services, which is being developed to offer a centralised platform for all government services. By the end of 2024, the portal's development had reached 73% completion, with the first phase of user experience enhancements finalised and the design phase of a unified mobile application completed. A technical integration guide for the portal was introduced, alongside a strategy for developing digital content for government services. The portal's initial phase, integrating services from 10 government institutions, is expected to launch by the end of February. Oman's National Open Data Platform, which aims to centralise and publish open data across multiple sectors, has reached 63% completion. Testing and content reviews are currently underway, with 20 government institutions targeted in its first rollout. Additionally, integration efforts through the National Platform for Digital Integration have led to the exchange of over 471 million data records between January and November 2024, marking a 73% increase from the previous year. Since the platform's inception in 2017, approximately 1.4 billion records have been exchanged. The impact of Oman's digital transformation is evident in the sharp rise in e-government transactions. Between January and November 2024, over 26.9 million government transactions were completed digitally, compared to 9.4 million in 2023. The number of institutions implementing technical solutions for remote access increased to 88% in 2024, up from 56% in 2023. Furthermore, 267 automated government services were introduced, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. Beneficiary satisfaction with digital services across 48 government institutions averaged 77% in 2024. The number of institutions with an approved change management plan for digital transformation rose to 55%, a substantial increase from 17% in 2023. — ONA
