The short answer: On 22 October 2026, Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology launched phase 2 of the National Digital Economy Programme, covering 2026–2030. Expanding e-commerce and electronic payments is one of its four stated priorities, alongside SME digitalisation. No new rule for online stores came with the launch. What it does signal is that the market will favour stores that are licensed, verified on Maroof Oman, take card and wallet payments, and are ready for e-invoicing in 2027.
Last updated: October 2026
What is phase 2 of Oman's National Digital Economy Programme?
The National Digital Economy Programme is one of the strategic programmes behind Oman Vision 2040. It runs in four phases from 2021 to 2040 and is organised into eight tracks, including digital commerce and fintech. Phase 1 ended in 2025. Phase 2 was launched at a ceremony under the patronage of the Minister of Finance, according to the official report published by Oman's Foreign Ministry.
The announced targets for 2026–2030:
| Target | Announced figure |
|---|---|
| Digital economy contribution to GDP | OMR 1.5 billion |
| Technology investment | OMR 300 million |
| New direct jobs | 3,000 a year |
The same event put the digital economy's current share of GDP at 9%, based on a survey by the National Centre for Statistics and Information with the ministry.
Where e-commerce and payments fit in
The official announcement lists four priorities: digitalising strategic sectors, expanding e-commerce and electronic payments, supporting SME digital transformation, and accelerating AI adoption.
The second and third are the ones that touch a store owner directly. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) framed its Digital Commerce Programme this way:
- Phase 1 (2021–2025) was about regulating the market and building trust: launching Maroof Oman, issuing the e-commerce regulation, and expanding licensing.
- Phase 2 (2026–2030) moves from readiness to economic impact: linking digital commerce to productive sectors, getting Omani products into regional and international markets, and using AI in marketing, inventory, supply chains and customer service.
Put simply: the rule-making stage is largely done. The next stage rewards businesses that already have their paperwork in order and want to grow.
E-commerce in Oman 2026: the official numbers
| Indicator | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce volume | OMR 288 million in 2025, up from OMR 221 million in 2023 | MCTIT, Oct 2026 (Arabic report) |
| Growth in non-cash transactions | Over 700% between 2020 and 2025 | Same |
| Licensed e-commerce activities | 19,260 | MoCIIP via Alroya, Aug 2026 |
| Stores verified on Maroof Oman | 412 (Feb 2024 to 1 Aug 2026) | Same |
| National E-Commerce Plan 2022–2027 | 86.7% complete (26 of 30 initiatives) at end of 2025 | Same |
Among the initiatives completed in the second half of 2025 were awareness campaigns for electronic payments and an approved review of electronic payment transaction fees. The ministry aims to complete the plan in 2027.
Licensed vs verified: the gap that matters
Nearly 19,000 licensed activities, but only a few hundred verified stores. In February 2026, MoCIIP reported 340 verified stores out of 670 applications. The two numbers don't measure exactly the same thing: a licensed activity might be an Instagram shop rather than a full website. Still, the practical takeaway holds. Verification is a differentiator today. A verified store is one of a few hundred, and cautious shoppers can look it up.
What actually changes for an online store in Oman
Licensing stays the foundation
Selling online in Oman requires an e-commerce licence under Ministerial Decision 499/2023. Companies need a commercial registration; individuals without one must meet specific conditions. Maroof Oman verification builds on that licence, so licensing comes first.
Online payments move from nice-to-have to expected
With non-cash transactions up more than 700% in five years and phase 2 explicitly targeting payment systems, "transfer to our account and send the receipt on WhatsApp" is becoming friction that costs sales. Customers expect to pay by card or wallet at checkout. Compare gateway fees and settlement times before you commit to one.
Maroof Oman becomes the trust signal
MoCIIP names Maroof Oman as a headline achievement of phase 1, and phase 2 builds on it. The ministry says the service is free. A buyer sees your business details, registration status, policies and reviews in one place.
E-invoicing is on the 2027 calendar
This is a separate tax track, but it lands in the same window. Under Tax Authority Decision 189/2026, as summarised by Comarch, mandatory e-invoicing starts on 1 April 2027 for VAT-registered businesses with annual supplies above OMR 5 million, and on 1 October 2027 for all other VAT-registered businesses. If your store is VAT-registered, choose a platform and systems that can integrate.
AI: start small
The ministry lists AI as a key enabler for marketing, demand and inventory. For a small store that means using what your platform already offers, such as product recommendations, sales reports and bilingual product descriptions you review yourself, before paying for anything bespoke.
Not sure where your store stands? Our free digital presence check reviews your site and visibility and tells you plainly what's missing.
How to get verified on Maroof Oman
The platform is run by MoCIIP and was launched in November 2023 alongside the e-commerce regulation, according to Atheer. The ministry has not published a detailed step-by-step guide, so the steps below are based on its public statements and the Maroof Oman platform itself:
- Confirm your licence: a commercial registration covering e-commerce, or a valid freelance licence.
- Create a merchant account on maroof.om using the register-as-merchant option.
- Enter your store details: name in Arabic and English, business category, a short description and contact details.
- Link the store to your commercial registration or freelance licence. Buyers will see which one you hold and its status.
- Add your channels: website, app if you have one, and social accounts.
- State your exchange and refund policy, including the number of days. It appears on your public store page.
- Submit and wait for review. Approved stores receive a Maroof Oman number and a verification certificate.
- Show it: put your Maroof Oman number and a link to your store page in your site footer and social bios.
Keep your name, phone number and refund policy identical on Maroof Oman and on your own site. Buyers can file a report on the platform when details don't match.
Checklist before the end of 2026
- E-commerce licence valid, with the number shown on your site and social bios.
- Store verified on Maroof Oman, or the application submitted.
- Card and wallet payments working at checkout, not manual bank transfer only.
- Exchange and refund policy written, and matching what's on Maroof Oman.
- A privacy page explaining what customer data you collect and how you protect it, in line with Oman's Personal Data Protection Law.
- If VAT-registered: you have asked your platform and accountant about e-invoicing readiness for 2027.
- Contact details and address consistent across your site, Google and Maroof Oman.
- A fast mobile experience, since most orders come from phones.
What to watch in 2027
The four remaining initiatives of the National E-Commerce Plan, due in 2027. The April and October 2027 e-invoicing deadlines. And the detailed initiative list for phase 2 itself: the official announcement set targets and priorities but did not publish the individual initiatives. We'll update this article as details emerge.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for a formal mandate. Licensing, verification and online payments are all available now.
- Verifying with details that don't match your site.
- Selling on Instagram with no licence number in the bio.
- Relying on bank transfer alone.
- Leaving e-invoicing until spring 2027.
- Reading national targets as a sales forecast. Your share depends on your store and your marketing.
How Naqla can help
Naqla is a licensed Gulf digital company that builds online stores on Salla and WooCommerce for Oman and Saudi Arabia. We hand over stores ready for what the market now expects: online payments, written policies and consistent business details that make verification straightforward. Starting from scratch or tidying up an existing store before 2027? Talk to us.
FAQ
When was phase 2 of the National Digital Economy Programme launched?
On 22 October 2026. It covers 2026–2030 and was launched by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology under the patronage of the Minister of Finance.
Does phase 2 introduce new obligations for online stores?
No new binding rule was announced with it. Existing obligations still apply: licensing under Decision 499/2023 and the e-commerce regulation, and the Personal Data Protection Law.
Is Maroof Oman verification mandatory?
We found no published text making it mandatory for every store. The licence is mandatory; verification is a free ministry service designed to build trust. We recommend it because it costs little and buyers notice it.
How many stores are verified on Maroof Oman?
412 between February 2024 and 1 August 2026, according to MoCIIP figures published in August 2026, against 19,260 licensed e-commerce activities.
Do I need a commercial registration to get verified?
You need either a commercial registration or a freelance licence. The platform accepts both and shows buyers which one the store holds.
Does e-invoicing apply to small online stores?
It applies to VAT-registered businesses, in two waves during 2027 based on annual supplies. If you are not VAT-registered, check your position with your accountant.
By Naqla Digital SolutionsPublished All articles
