# Oman — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/OM
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **MPCSS** is the mobile payment clearing system with QR
- **318.6% volume growth** in 2024 (strongest growth)
- **Three identifier methods:** Mobile, Alias, QR Code
- **Vision 2040** cashless society alignment
- **Apple/Samsung Pay** launched 2024

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Central Bank of Oman (CBO)
- **Website:** https://cbo.gov.om/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, payment systems oversight

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | Bank Muscat | Commercial | BM Mobile |
| 2 | National Bank of Oman | Commercial | NBO App |
| 3 | Bank Dhofar | Commercial | BD Mobile |
| 4 | Ahli Bank | Commercial | Ahli App |
| 5 | Sohar International | Commercial | Sohar App |

### Market Structure
- **Bank Muscat:** Largest bank
- **Islamic banking:** Growing presence
- **OmanNet:** National ATM/POS network
- **PSPs:** Licensed payment providers

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| MPCSS | CBO | Mobile clearing | Active |
| OmanNet | CBO | ATM/POS switch | Active |
| RTGS | CBO | Large value | Active |
| ACH | CBO | Clearing | Active |

### MPCSS Statistics (2024)
- **318.6% volume growth**
- **223.5% value growth**
- Strongest growth among all systems
- 4.9M to 40M transactions (2022-2023)

### MPCSS Identifier Methods
1. Mobile Number
2. Alias Name
3. QR Code

### Payment Types
- Person-to-Person (P2P)
- Person-to-Business (P2B)
- Person-to-Government (P2G)
- Real-time settlement

---

## QR code standards

### MPCSS QR Payments

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Operator** | Central Bank of Oman |
| **System** | MPCSS |
| **Method** | QR Code scanning |
| **Status** | Active |

### QR Payment Features
- Real-time mobile payments
- Bank/PSP app integration
- Merchant QR scanning
- P2B growth: 56K to 191K (2023-2024)

### P2B Growth (2023-2024)

| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Growth |
|--------|------|------|--------|
| Volume | 56,230 | 190,900 | 240% |
| Value | RO 0.858M | RO 2.03M | 137% |

### E-Wallet Development

**Khedmah Pay**
- OIFC e-wallet
- CBO approved
- QR code payments
- Phone number transfers

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | MPCSS | QR |
|-----|----------|-------|-------|
| Bank Muscat | Bank Muscat | Yes | Yes |
| NBO App | NBO | Yes | Yes |
| Khedmah Pay | OIFC | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Apps | Various | Yes | Yes |

### 2024 Wallet Launches
- **Samsung Pay:** April 2024
- **Apple Pay:** September 2024
- **Google Pay:** July 2025

### Digital Payment Methods
- Mobile number transfers
- Alias name transfers
- QR code scanning
- Contactless NFC

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MPCSS QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/OM/mpcss-qr) | Mobile QR | CBO | Growing fast | [`mpcss-qr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mpcss-qr) |
| [OmanNet](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/OM/omannet) | Card switch | National | Universal | — |
| [NFC Wallets](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/OM/nfc-wallets) | Contactless | Apple/Samsung | New (2024) | — |

## Sources

- [CBO - Payment System Reforms](https://cbo.gov.om/Pages/PaymentSystemReforms.aspx)
- [Oman News - MPCSS Upgrade](https://omannews.gov.om/topics/en/79/show/2634/dark)
- [Oman Observer - Instant Payments Rise](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1177045/business/banking/oman-sees-explosive-rise-in-instant-payment-solutions)
- [Times of Oman - Mobile Payments Surge](https://timesofoman.com/article/153151-mobile-payments-surge-in-oman-as-cbo-advances-digital-systems)
- [TechAfrica - Google Pay Oman](https://techafricanews.com/2025/07/10/google-pay-launches-in-oman-and-lebanon-expanding-mobile-payments-in-mena/)
- [IBS Intelligence - Khedmah Pay](https://ibsintelligence.com/ibsi-news/oifc-launches-e-wallet-khedmah-pay-to-simplify-payments/)
- [GlobalData - Oman Cards](https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/oman-cards-and-payments-market-analysis/)
- [Oman Observer - ATMs vs Mobile](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1163372/oman/community/atms-battle-mobile-payments-in-oman)
- [Zawya - Mobile Payments Surge](https://www.zawya.com/en/business/fintech/mobile-payments-surge-in-oman-as-cbo-advances-digital-systems-hjgsdm8z)
- [Zawya - Payment Methods Oman](https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/gcc/apple-pay-samsung-pay-mobile-transfers-how-customers-make-payments-in-oman-vxvl7fhm)

## Full country report

[OM-oman.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/OM)