As part of its ongoing efforts to empower entrepreneurs and promote a culture of self-employment, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority has launched the “Riyada” e-platform, a fully integrated digital academy designed to enable individuals in the field of entrepreneurship and support them in developing their projects and enhancing their entrepreneurial skills in an innovative and effective manner. The platform targets a wide segment of society, including school and university students, public and private sector employees, entrepreneurs, craftsmen, job seekers, and retirees, through flexible training pathways. It offers diverse training programmes and online courses that form a practical roadmap for the success and growth of small and medium enterprises, aligning with the ambitions of entrepreneurs across the Sultanate of Oman.
The platform aims to empower entrepreneurs and develop their capabilities in various aspects of entrepreneurship, while refining their skills and enhancing their competence in managing and operating their enterprises in accordance with international best practices and modern digital technologies. This initiative aligns with the national direction towards digital transformation by providing a supportive electronic environment that contributes to the development and advancement of the entrepreneurial sector in Oman.
The platform enables individuals to register and engage with digital training content, developing their entrepreneurial skills and establishing their small and medium-sized enterprises on solid foundations. It also allows users to assess their knowledge levels before and after the courses, enhancing their awareness of economic development in line with the government’s digital transformation strategy.
The Riyada Academy has achieved remarkable digital engagement in supporting entrepreneurs through its online platforms, with more than 28,800 entrepreneurs benefiting from specialised and general training programmes by the fourth quarter of 2024. A total of 5,222 participants took part in the “Entrepreneur Readiness” programme, one of the intensive training programmes designed to prepare entrepreneurial talent. In addition, 3,203 entrepreneurs benefited from general consultation services, while 4,653 received feasibility study support. In facilitating services, the Authority issued more than 64,000 entrepreneurship cards, of which around 27,000 are currently active. Furthermore, 18 business incubators supported approximately 85 start-ups, generating revenues exceeding 800,000 Omani rials. The platform also features a rich digital library capable of serving up to 10,000 users, highlighting the impact of digital transformation in supporting entrepreneurship.
The “Riyada” platform stands as an effective model for empowering entrepreneurs through an innovative digital environment. With the training tools and advisory services it provides, the platform reinforces Oman’s path towards a knowledge-based economy founded on entrepreneurship and digital public participation.
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