12 Feb Interview with Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park (ODP)
Oman’s data center industry is growing rapidly, with analysts like Scotts International forecasting a compound annual growth rate of 10.3% through 2029. The Oman Vision 2040 strategy positions data centers as the backbone of the nation’s tech infrastructure, with the broader information and communication technologies sector expected to contribute up to 10% of gross domestic product by 2040. Why has Oman made the data center industry a national priority and what makes it an ideal global hub for digital infrastructure?
Oman has three key advantages that position it as a regional data hub. First is geography: located on the Indian Ocean, Oman is a gateway between Asia, Africa and Europe. Every major trade route — sea, air or soon rail — passes through Oman, and projects like linking the Port of Sohar to the United Arab Emirates further amplify this value. Second, Oman is already a global digital hub. With over 20 submarine cables, we connect Asia to Africa, Europe and the US, making us a natural node for international digital traffic.
Third is political stability. Oman is known for neutrality and constructive diplomacy, often described as the “Switzerland of the Middle East.” This stability creates trust for international partnerships. As artificial intelligence (AI) drives the next industrial revolution, Oman’s location, connectivity and stability make it the ideal place to host the region’s digital future.
Building on these three pillars, Oman Data Park (ODP) is developing connected data centers — not just facilities, but nodes that link nations, enable hyperscalers to lower latency and redundancy, and support sovereign solutions. For governments, for example, we are pioneering “data embassy” centers, where countries host workloads under their own laws while ODP provides the infrastructure. We are also actively engaging with hyperscalers and AI leaders like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google, Meta and Nvidia to leverage Oman’s unique advantages. At the same time, we are inviting investors to participate in building this infrastructure, with strong returns expected over the coming decade.
Since its founding in 2012, ODP has grown from Oman’s first managed ICT provider into the market’s leading Tier 3 and Tier 3+ data center operator. The company now holds over 70% of Oman’s public-sector IT share and 90% of the national data center market, and operates five state-of-the-art centers in the Muscat region, Duqm and Ibri. Can you give USA Today readers an overview of ODP’s capabilities and its role in driving Oman’s digital infrastructure forward?
Oman Data Park (ODP) was founded to address the country’s data residency and sovereignty mandates. We began by building data centers and launching cloud services to help organizations reduce costs by shifting from CapEx to OpEx. Over time, we expanded into cybersecurity and professional services, recruiting and upskilling Omani talent to serve both local and global markets. Today, ODP operates Oman’s largest data centers with 10 megawatts of capacity, set to grow to 20-30 megawatts and potentially 50 megawatts within a decade. With AI workloads, this could reach over 150 megawatts.
In 13 years, our impact has been threefold: lowering national operating costs through automation, accelerating Oman’s digital transformation in line with Vision 2040 across sectors like government, logistics, utilities, banking, financial services and oil and gas, and supporting economic growth through innovation and talent development. The third element is connected to supporting Oman’s small and medium-sized enterprise ecosystem. We run special programs that host startups — especially ones in fintech, open banking and digital banking — at near-zero cost for up to five years, helping young entrepreneurs who cannot afford hosting services.
While Vision 2040 targets a 10% GDP contribution from SMEs, we are at around 2% today. To bridge this gap, ODP is evolving from building infrastructure to delivering total solutions. This includes automating ports, utilities and oil and gas, and enabling SMEs to develop new applications for processes like this that can also be exported abroad. We work closely with Oman’s SME Authority and ecosystem to create real value. Oman has talented graduates — they just need the right opportunities and direction, and we see it as our role to empower them.
ODP delivers a broad suite of services, including cloud hosting, cybersecurity, and managed IT. The company is also rolling out AI-driven solutions for clients — from large language models to smart city analytics. Its research and development efforts focus on strengthening data security, edge computing and customer-facing innovation. How would you assess the strength of Oman’s R&D capabilities in technology, and how has ODP helped set the pace?
We are not yet where we want to be in R&D. Today, most efforts come from academic institutions, but companies like Oman Data Park must do more. Over the next decade, one of our strategic priorities is to establish or partner with centers of excellence, investing capital from our core business to drive R&D. In our view, R&D in Oman should go hand in hand with the SME ecosystem. By bringing both under one roof, we can generate not only new ideas but also new businesses — creating innovation with real economic impact.
ODP is pioneering green practices in the data center space, including hybrid solar systems and circular economy initiatives. It reached a major milestone in August 2025 with the launch of the first phase of a new solar plant. What are the next steps toward becoming Oman’s first green data center provider?
We are committed to supporting Oman’s net-zero 2050 mandate by making our data centers as green as possible. This includes our upcoming facility in Nizwa, one of the largest in the country, which will be a green data center alongside our sites in Muscat. Equally importantly, we partner with Omani companies to provide and maintain green technologies, creating new businesses and maximizing in-country value. Sustainability for us is not just about operations — it is about building an ecosystem that can grow and expand beyond Oman.
ODP has begun expanding regionally, including through investment in the Kemet Data Centre in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone. The company also continues to attract global partners, including US-based developers and hyperscalers, as it positions itself for further international growth. How is ODP’s regional expansion helping the company remain ahead in a rapidly evolving global market for digital services?
The digital economy is now central to every nation’s growth, and Oman Data Park is working to keep Oman at the forefront of that sector. This requires strong international partnerships, and we have built close ties with leading hyperscalers in the US, Europe and Asia, supporting Oman Vision 2040 and foreign direct investment (FDI) goals. Beyond Oman, we are extending value internationally, starting with East Africa. We already provide services in Tanzania and Zanzibar and are in talks to build data centers across the region, equipped with AI infrastructure to accelerate digital transformation. Given Oman’s historic and cultural ties with East Africa, we see strong potential for mutual growth and aim to play a leading role in shaping the region’s digital economy.
What opportunities are attracting US data investors to Oman, and why do they see now as being the right time to invest?
We have strong ties with the US government, which supports digital investment in our country. US companies see Oman’s value for four key reasons: geographic location, submarine cable infrastructure, political stability and abundant, affordable power. These factors make Oman ideal for AI workloads and other energy-intensive digital operations. Combined with our decades-long diplomatic and trade relationships, Oman is uniquely positioned to attract FDI and international digital investment. We are actively engaging with US firms and investment authorities to maximize these opportunities over the next decade.
You were a founding member of ODP in 2012, having previously served in senior roles at top Omani tech firms. What achievements do you hope to lead the company toward over the next five to ten years?
Oman Data Park is still mid-journey. Over the past 13 years, we have laid the foundation and completed the takeoff, but the next phase is cruising. Our goal is to become Oman’s largest digital conglomerate, driving the country’s digital transformation in line with Vision 2040. The structure is in place and, over the next decade, Oman Data Park will be the key mover of Oman’s digital contribution to the GDP, connecting closely with the global digital ecosystem, especially the US and Silicon Valley. By 2030, we aim to be at the heart of Oman’s digital economy, powering growth and innovation.
What final message would you like to address to our readers?
I invite digital conglomerates and startups worldwide, especially from Silicon Valley, to come to Oman and connect with Oman Data Park. We make it easy for them to establish themselves — as a business, solution provider or partner — with flexible business models. We are ready to guide them and help them explore the opportunities Oman has to offer.