The British government expects a proposed artificial intelligence data center in Oman to support more than 100 skilled UK jobs, placing investment at the center of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s state visit to Britain.
UK-founded YAMNACO Ltd, which uses the Yamna name, was expected to sign an agreement with Oman to develop the facility in Salalah, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said Oct. 21. The government forecast a first phase valued at more than £1 billion. It gave no date for a final project decision or the start of construction.
The FCDO also announced more than £1 billion in new investment expected to benefit the UK and Oman. It did not say whether that figure includes the projected value of Yamna’s first phase. Financial services, health care, space, critical minerals, technology and renewable energy are priorities under a bilateral investment accord the countries were expected to sign Oct. 21.
The project follows a longer effort to deepen commercial ties. The UK and Oman established the UK-Oman Sovereign Investment Partnership in 2022 to identify investment opportunities. Since then, Oman has invested £1.7 billion in the UK, while British exports to Oman totaled £1.1 billion in the four quarters through the first quarter of 2026, according to the FCDO.
The FCDO said UK Export Finance (UKEF) would raise financing capacity for British exports to Oman to as much as £7 billion. UKEF guidance updated Oct. 13 separately lists its market-risk appetite for Oman at £6 billion to £7 billion. That range is a different measure from financing capacity, and the agency says its guidance does not commit it to cover any particular contract.
Oman’s Foreign Ministry said the countries signed letters of intent on space and artificial intelligence in education. In its own statement, the FCDO described those measures as agreements expected to be signed. It also said the UK and Oman were expected to sign a maritime cooperation memorandum involving the Omani Maritime Security Centre.
The UK said applications for the Chevening Educational Scholarship Programme in Oman would open in August 2027.
