“Can Sohar International become Oman's anchor digital bank by opening its infrastructure via APIs while expanding SME lending and cross-border payments across the GCC?”
Sohar International is an established Omani bank operating under a national banking licence from the Central Bank of Oman, offering retail, wholesale and Islamic banking (via the Sohar Islamic window). In recent years the bank has pursued a digital transformation agenda, launching Oman's first API Banking Portal in 2024 to open its rails to fintechs, government bodies and corporates. It has simultaneously expanded its SME lending reach through public-private partnerships (e.g. with Future Fund Oman and Beehive) and its international payments capability, positioning itself as a modern, API-driven bank for the GCC/MENA region.
Sohar International discloses Sohar International B.S.C.O. (in-house) as its banking provider, according to the Embedded Finance Index 2026.
Sohar International does not disclose a bank charter of its own; its banking services are provided through Sohar International B.S.C.O. (in-house).
The Embedded Finance Index 2026 maps 2 layers in Sohar International's stack: Banking / BaaS (Sohar International B.S.C.O. (in-house)); Lending (Working capital facilities, Special purpose financing (share trading loans, real estate development loans, seasonal finance, bridge loans, investment loans, asset purchase loans), SME lending portfolio (co-originated with Future Fund Oman and Beehive), General purpose corporate loans and 2 others).
Sohar International is headquartered in Muscat, Oman.
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