In record Arab high-tech deal, Uber buys Dubai-based competitor Careem for $3.1b

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Ride-hailing service Uber announced on Tuesday it has acquired its Mideast competitor Careem for $3.1 billion, making it the largest-ever technology purchase in the region outside of Israel.

Uber said in a prepared statement that the $3.1 billion purchase consists of $1.7 billion in convertible notes and $1.4 billion in cash. Under the deal, Careem will keep its brand as a wholly owned subsidiary of Uber, operating as an independent company led by its original founders.

The Dubai-based Careem is among the Middle East’s most successful startups. Careem quickly became popular across the Middle East, particularly in countries like Egypt and Pakistan, in part because it introduced the option for riders to pay by cash rather than just credit card. It also launched in the region in 2012, three years before Uber.

Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the deal expands the US-based company’s strength around the world.

Illustrative – taxi driver in Cairo’s neighboring city of Giza, Egypt. (AP/Eman Helal)

“With a proven ability to develop innovative local solutions, Careem has played a key role in shaping the future of urban mobility across the Middle East, becoming one of the most successful startups in the region,” Khosrowshahi said.

Careem’s CEO and co-founder Mudassir Sheikha described the deal as a “milestone” for the company and for budding entrepreneurs in the region, as well as local and global investors.

Sheikha will lead Careem’s business under Uber and report to a board made up of three representatives from Uber and two from Careem.

Saudi-based Kingdom Holding, one of Careem’s early investors, said the acquisition is an opportunity for both companies to expand and benefit from the region’s rapid growth.

In the largest high-tech acquisition to date in the region, US-based Intel purchased Israel’s Mobileye for $15.3 billion in March 2017. Headquartered in Jerusalem, Mobileye produces advanced driver-assistance systems and technology for autonomous driving.