Oman's Central Bank Approves 16 New Fintech Licences as Active Firms Reach 42

The Central Bank of Oman approved 16 new fintech licences in 2025, raising the total number of active fintech firms operating in the Sultanate from 26 to 42.

A further 52 fintech applications are currently under review by the Central Bank of Oman.

SANDBOX AND PROGRAMMES

The Central Bank of Oman has been using its regulatory sandbox as a primary tool to attract foreign direct investment, offering applicants a supervised environment in which they can test products and business models under real market conditions before seeking full licences.

Alongside the sandbox, the Central Bank has launched an Innovation Acceleration Programme and a roadmap for licensing digital banks.

MARKET PROJECTED TO HIT RO 1.1 BILLION

Oman's fintech market is projected to reach RO 1.1 billion (about $2.9 billion) by the end of 2025, growing at a compound annual rate of 16 per cent.

Oman's 42 fintech firms span payments, personal finance, digital payments and point-of-sale, and trading and crowdfunding. Payments account for 22 per cent of the firms, while personal finance, digital payments and point-of-sale, and trading and crowdfunding each account for 19 per cent.