Oman is intensifying efforts to engage international investors in financing its transition to net-zero emissions, emphasizing the need to develop commercially viable projects supported by credible data and clear revenue models. This approach was outlined by Dr. Muhannad al Kalbani, Vice-President (Centre of Excellence) at the Oman Net-Zero Centre, following a recent green finance roadshow in London.
The roadshow, organized jointly by Oman’s Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Oman, Environment Authority, and the Oman Net-Zero Centre, aimed to acquaint global investors with the country’s net-zero ambitions and investment opportunities in sustainable sectors. Held earlier this year, the non-binding event sought to gauge investor interest rather than secure immediate funding commitments.
Dr. al Kalbani highlighted that while foreign investor interest is evident, the critical challenge lies in transforming that interest into actual capital flows. “Interest only turns into capital when projects are properly structured, with offtake, solid emissions data and clear revenue models,” he said. This emphasis on project bankability marks a shift in Oman’s strategy toward attracting long-term institutional investment by ensuring projects meet rigorous commercial and environmental standards.
Oman’s commitment to its energy transition is anchored in its Vision 2040 and a net-zero target set for 2050. According to Dr. al Kalbani, the country’s consistent policy direction has been positively received by investors, especially as other nations have scaled back similar pledges. The transparency and longevity of Oman’s commitments provide a backdrop of stability in an evolving global investment landscape.
Central to Oman’s financing framework is the Sustainable Finance Framework, launched by the Ministry of Finance in 2024. This framework allows for green, social, and sustainability bonds, sukuk, and loans, with proceeds designated for projects delivering environmental and social benefits. The London roadshow served to spotlight these mechanisms alongside the broader renewable energy, green hydrogen, and low-carbon project pipeline Oman is cultivating.
However, discussions at Oman Climate Week 2026 underscored a widespread challenge facing the country: a gap between climate ambitions and the availability of investment-grade projects. Experts at the event noted that capital scarcity is less of an obstacle than the lack of projects with the necessary financial structuring and data transparency to attract large-scale external funding.
In this context, Oman’s recent outreach to global investors marks a crucial stage in its energy transition. The government and its partners are increasingly focused on aligning project development with international investor expectations, ensuring ventures offer robust commercial structures, reliable emissions data, and predictable revenue streams. Success in these areas will be essential for Oman as it seeks to mobilize the substantial private and institutional capital needed to achieve its net-zero objectives by mid-century.