Muscat hosts fifth regional central banks conference as MENA policymakers accelerate fintech, AI integration
MUSCAT — The fifth conference of the Regional Network of Central Banks opened in Muscat on February 12, 2026, hosted by the Central Bank of Oman with the World Bank. The two-day gathering brings together policymakers, economists and researchers to address economic resilience, fintech adoption and AI-driven policy transformation amid persistent global volatility.
Overview
The conference features 15 research papers selected from an international competition, covering topics including technological change, macroeconomic policy and regional economic challenges. Workshops focus on non-traditional data sources, machine learning applications and natural language processing for central banking operations.
“hosting the conference reflects Oman’s commitment to promoting regional cooperation, encouraging knowledge exchange and fostering constructive dialogue between academia and industry.”
— Ahmed bin Jaafar al Musalmi, Governor at Central Bank of Oman
Analysis: The governor’s emphasis on academia-industry dialogue signals a deliberate strategy to translate research into actionable policy frameworks—critical as MENA central banks navigate the dual pressures of oil dependency and digital transformation.
Sessions address how AI, fintech and big data influence macroeconomic strategies, alongside structural challenges including unemployment and resource diversification. The Central Bank of Oman plans to launch a Research Governance Framework and Research Award in 2026 to strengthen regional research capacity.
Why this matters
MENA central banks face mounting pressure to modernize monetary policy infrastructure while maintaining financial stability. This conference represents a coordinated regional effort to build technical capacity in emerging technologies before implementing regulatory frameworks—a reversal of the typical “regulate first, understand later” approach that has constrained fintech growth elsewhere.
The focus on fintech and AI aligns with broader Gulf digitalization strategies, including UAE’s cashless payment initiatives and Saudi Arabia’s digital banking licenses. Oman’s planned Research Governance Framework could accelerate knowledge transfer across smaller GCC markets that lack the research budgets of Dubai or Riyadh financial hubs.
The emphasis on non-traditional data and machine learning suggests central banks are preparing for real-time economic monitoring capabilities—essential for managing inflation and liquidity in economies still heavily exposed to commodity price swings.
What to watch next: Publication of the 15 competition papers will reveal specific policy priorities. The Research Governance Framework’s structure will indicate whether Oman positions itself as a regional fintech research hub or focuses on domestic capacity building.
Conclusion
The Muscat conference marks a strategic shift toward research-driven fintech policy across MENA, potentially narrowing the implementation gap between Gulf regulators and their more digitally advanced Asian counterparts.
Sources: Zawya, Oman Observer, Times of Oman, World Bank
