The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MCIIP) has released striking new data revealing a massive leap in Oman’s digital economy. According to the latest statistics from the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), the number of e-commerce transactions processed through local payment gateways surged from 67.5 million in 2024 to a record-breaking 168.8 million in 2025—marking a phenomenal 150% growth rate in just one year.
This explosive growth reflects a fundamental shift in Omani consumer behavior, as residents move away from cash-heavy habits toward a "cash-lite" lifestyle. The ministry attributes this surge to several key drivers:
- Enhanced Consumer Trust: Improvements in the security and reliability of local payment gateways have encouraged more users to shop online confidently.
- Seamless Infrastructure: The rollout of faster, more intuitive checkout processes and the wider availability of digital retail applications.
- Mobile-First Adoption: Smartphones captured over 82% of the e-commerce market share in 2025, supported by the rapid expansion of 5G and fiber-optic networks.
- Vision 2040 Alignment: These gains are a direct result of the National Digital Transformation Programme, which aims to modernize commercial services and boost the Sultanate's digital GDP.
The data also highlights the declining role of traditional cash. While Point-of-Sale (POS) transactions remain the dominant force for in-person shopping, ATM cash withdrawals fell from 5.65% to 3.43% of total activity in 2025. This indicates that even for daily errands, Omanis are increasingly opting for digital wallets, cards, and instant payment systems over physical currency.
As the e-commerce market size in Oman is projected to reach nearly $3 billion by the end of 2025, the MCIIP continues to focus on supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs in the digital space. For local businesses, these figures represent a clear mandate: having a robust online presence and a smooth digital payment integration is no longer a luxury—it is the primary engine for growth in the modern Omani market.
