Overview
The Tanfeedh Programme, formally known as the National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification, was launched in 2016 as a critical mechanism for translating Oman’s strategic economic objectives into actionable projects and measurable outcomes. Drawing its name from the Arabic word for implementation, Tanfeedh was designed to accelerate the pace of economic reform and reduce the Sultanate’s longstanding dependence on hydrocarbon revenues. The programme adopted a lab-based methodology, bringing together government officials, private sector leaders, and international consultants to identify bottlenecks, design solutions, and commit to specific deliverables within defined timelines. This approach was inspired by Malaysia’s PEMANDU model and adapted to the Omani context.
Key Facts
- Launched in 2016 under Royal Decree guidance
- Focused on five priority sectors: manufacturing, tourism, logistics, mining, and fisheries
- Employed an intensive lab workshop methodology lasting several weeks per sector
- Generated over 100 sector-specific initiatives with assigned accountability
- Established a dedicated follow-up unit to track progress against key performance indicators
- Served as a precursor to the broader Vision 2040 implementation framework
Significance for Vision 2040
Tanfeedh laid the operational groundwork for Oman Vision 2040 by establishing a culture of accountability and results-oriented governance. The programme demonstrated that cross-sector collaboration between public and private stakeholders could produce tangible economic outcomes. Many of the initiatives conceived under Tanfeedh were later absorbed into Vision 2040’s implementation plans, ensuring continuity of reform efforts. The programme’s emphasis on non-oil sectors directly informed Vision 2040’s economic diversification pillar, which targets raising non-oil GDP contributions to over 90 percent by 2040. Tanfeedh also helped build institutional capacity for programme management and performance monitoring, skills that remain essential for delivering on Vision 2040’s ambitious targets across all eleven governorates of the Sultanate.