14 January 2026

Desert Spark and BankDhofar Win Middle East Technology Excellence Award 2025 for FinTech Innovation in Banking

Desert Spark, a technology and investment company, and BankDhofar, one of Oman’s premier financial institutions, have been jointly awarded the prestigious Middle East Technology Excellence Award 2025 in the category “Banking Technology - Financial Technology in Oman.” The award, presented by The Asian Business Review, recognizes groundbreaking initiatives that leverage technology to redefine industry standards.


The award-winning project marks a pivotal step in the bank’s strategic digital evolution, focusing on a foundational modernization of its core IT architecture to ensure future agility and scalability. During an intensive two-month engagement, Desert Spark’s team conducted a deep analysis of the bank’s existing IT landscape and designed a comprehensive, future-ready roadmap. The collaboration resulted in a clear strategy to migrate from legacy monolithic systems to a modern, scalable microservices architecture. Key outcomes included a complete system registry, a detailed Architecture Vision Document, and a phased migration plan - all delivered ahead of schedule, enabling faster time-to-market and reduced operational complexity for the bank.


The award underscores the success of a partnership focused on tangible results and strategic foresight.

“We are excited to be recognized together with our trusted partner, Desert Spark. This project has been instrumental in laying a robust foundation for our future. This award is a significant validation of our shared vision and confirms that our path forward will solidify BankDhofar’s leadership in technological innovation within the regional banking sector.”
Dr. Tariq Saleh Taha
CIO, BankDhofar

Leveraging over twenty years of global expertise in the financial sector, Desert Spark offers its clients a critical advantage: deep, operational insight into banking's complexities and the path to successful modernization.

“We are honored by this recognition and, above all, value the trust placed in us by BankDhofar. We are fully committed to delivering exceptional solutions for the most complex technical challenges. This is our first joint trophy, and it serves as both an affirmation and a motivation for our team to continue upholding the high standards.”
Alexander Vinogradov
CEO, Desert Spark

The Middle East Technology Excellence Awards, organized by Asian Business Review, are highly regarded for spotlighting the most innovative and impactful technology projects across the region. Winning in the competitive Banking Technology category highlights the practical and transformative value delivered jointly by Desert Spark and BankDhofar.


About Desert Spark


Desert Spark is a technology and investment company committed to driving digital transformation in the Middle East and adjacent markets. By combining strategic investments with cutting-edge solutions - AI, Cloud, Data, Microservices, Open Banking, and E-government - Desert Spark accelerates growth and creates a brighter future for businesses, governments, and communities.


About BankDhofar


BankDhofar is one of the leading financial institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, offering a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions. Committed to innovation and customer excellence, the bank continuously invests in technology to enhance its service delivery and operational efficiency.