The Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has announced the launch of the ‘Hamat’ programme, a significant national initiative designed to strengthen the Sultanate’s entrepreneurial landscape. Developed in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, the programme aims to harness the talent of Omani youth, residents, startups, and innovators to develop solutions for pressing challenges identified by OIA companies.
The Hamat initiative reflects a strategic commitment to nurturing innovation, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and advancing Oman’s national development priorities by empowering local talent to create projects with lasting socioeconomic impact.
A Multi-Track Approach to Innovation
The programme is structured across three distinct tracks to engage a wide spectrum of participants and address diverse challenges.
The Governorates Track is focused on unlocking and elevating the tourism potential across Oman. It encourages the creation of innovative tourism experiences that will strengthen the unique cultural and economic identity of each governorate, contributing to sustainable local development.
The second track tackles real-world challenges faced by OIA’s portfolio companies, with a particular emphasis on key sectors such as energy, logistics, and tourism. This provides a direct channel for innovators to apply their skills to solve tangible industry problems.
Finally, the Academic Track targets students, researchers, and academics. By fostering collaboration between academic institutions, private sector entities, and entrepreneurs, this track aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and market demand, transforming theoretical knowledge into practical, market-ready solutions.
From Idea to Incubation
The Hamat programme will guide participants through a comprehensive four-phase journey designed to transform promising ideas into viable ventures.
The first phase, running from January 1 to 27, 2026, involves orientation tours across Oman’s governorates to introduce the programme and its specific challenges. Participants will receive expert support through workshops to help develop and submit their ideas.
Following this, an intensive bootcamp will take place from February 1 to 5, 2026. This second phase will cover essential topics such as problem framing, solution development, business model design, and prototyping fundamentals.
The third phase will coincide with the ‘Together Forward’ forum on February 8 and 9, 2026, where shortlisted projects will be presented to a panel of judges and recognised for their potential contributions to the national economy.
In the final phase, the most outstanding ideas will enter an incubation period of up to nine months. During this time, they will receive the necessary support and resources to be developed into economically viable and nationally impactful ventures.
About Hamat
The Hamat programme is a national initiative launched by the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) to engage Omani youth, residents, startups, SMEs, innovators, and entrepreneurs. It seeks to address key challenges faced by OIA companies by empowering participants to create innovative projects with significant economic and social impact, particularly in sectors like tourism, energy, and logistics.
Source: Zawya
