Sohar International, Oman’s leading bank, has confirmed the appointment of Abdulwahid Almurshidi as the Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect. 

Abdulwahid has been serving the bank as the Acting CEO since January 2025, after former CEO Ahmed Al Musalmi was named Governor of the Central Bank of Oman when His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik passed a decree in January 2025.  

Announcing Abdulwahid's appointment, the bank stated, “The Board of Directors of Sohar International is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Abdul Wahid Mohamed Al Murshidi as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 26. Mr. Al Murshidi has been serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 2025, during which he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision.”  

In his new role, Abdulwahid brings around two decades of banking leadership experience. He initially joined the bank in 2019 as the Chief Islamic Banking Officer, and prior to that, he worked with a local Islamic bank—Muscat Capital LLC—as the Deputy General Manager for more than a decade.  

On the academic front, Abdulwahid holds an Executive MBA in Commerce from the London Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from Sultan Qaboos University. He brings exceptional skills in auditing, finance, investment, risk analysis, and Islamic banking.  

Welcoming him to the leadership team, Said Mohamed Al-Aufi, Chairman of the bank, stated, “Today marks an important milestone for Sohar International. Mr. Abdul Wahid’s proven track record, exceptional expertise, and unwavering dedication make him the ideal leader to steer our bank into its next chapter. We are confident that under his guidance, Sohar International will continue to thrive and reinforce its position as a leading financial institution in the region.”  

“We are pleased to have a leader of Mr. Abdul Wahid’s caliber to guide the management team toward further success and excellence. With his diverse experience in the banking industry, we believe he will build on the bank’s achievements and strengthen its capabilities as a market leader,” he added.  

Abdulwahid’s appointment reflects the strong leadership and sustained progress of the bank, ensuring that it remains dedicated to creating value for its customers, stakeholders, and the broader economy. He will continue to further strengthen the bank’s market position, growth, and expansion.  

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The bank is setting new benchmarks in banking excellence, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer empowerment. In addition, it is also strengthening its commitment to empowering Omani talent and elevating the nation’s presence across diverse sectors on the global stage, as the bank renewed its partnership with Omani motorsport icon Ahmad Al Harthy.

“As we continue to drive transformation in the financial sector, we remain dedicated to empowering individuals, businesses, and the national economy with forward-thinking solutions that inspire confidence and growth,” said CEO Abdulwahid, as the bank recently received recognition for being the ‘Most Trusted Brand 2024’ in Oman’s banking sector.