Seven Urban Mobility Startups Transforming MENA Cities

Urban mobility in the Middle East and North Africa is undergoing rapid change as populations centre in cities and demand smarter transport. Today roughly 65% of the MENA population lives in urban areas, yet only about 36% have convenient access to formal public transport, according to recent regional transport reports, leaving space for tech‑led mobility solutions. Shared and on‑demand services are now integral to city life, with the region’s shared mobility market projected to exceed US $67 billion by 2025, driven by ride‑hail and shared transport adoption. Here are seven mobility startups that are filling the gap in urban commuting across the region...

Swvl

Swvl started in Cairo in 2017 with a simple idea: make shared commutes smarter and cheaper. Founded by co-founders Mostafa Kandil (CEO), Mahmoud Nouh, and Ahmed Sabbah, the Dubai-headquartered platform now combines app-booked buses, vans, and corporate shuttles in 135 cities across 20 countries, connecting millions with a mass-transit alternative that sidesteps broken public systems. It went public on Nasdaq and continues expanding routes and tech to fight congestion.

Careem

Careem began in Dubai in 2012 as a local ride-hailing app, founded by co-founders Mudassir Sheikha (CEO), Magnus Olsson (Chief Product Architect), and Abdulla Elyas. It has since grown into a mobility super-app in 70+ cities, spanning cars, bikes, and deliveries. After its $3.1 billion acquisition by Uber, it kept evolving—adding e-bikes, digital wallets, eco-friendly options, and tailored offers that carve new urban travel experiences across MENA.

Yassir

Yassir was founded in 2017 by Noureddine Tayebi (CEO) and Mahdi Yettou. From Algiers to Casablanca and Tunis, it has become a North African mobility and services hub blending ride‑hailing with delivery and fintech tools. With more than 3 million users across 25 cities, Yassir is a go-to app in markets underserved by global competitors, offering practical transport and payment flexibility at city scale.

Jeeny

Jeeny was established in 2014 as a joint venture between iMENA Group and Rocket Internet. It puts fast, reliable rides in the palm of Saudi commuters’ hands. Born in Riyadh, the platform focuses on day‑to‑day mobility in fast‑growing cities where private cars dominate but congestion bites. Its app‑based bookings and local driver networks cater to daily life — from work runs to social trips — with simplicity and regional nuance.

Yango

Yango, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Dubai, operates in 30+ countries, applying AI and smart routing to ride‑hailing. Its recent launch in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah includes carpooling options that reduce costs by matching riders, as well as corporate ride solutions that streamline employee transport.

Enakl

Morocco’s Enakl, founded by Samir Bennani (CEO) and Charles Pommarède, tackles congestion with bus-sharing: commuters book seats on scheduled minibuses that follow optimized urban routes. After raising $2.3 million in seed funding, it’s also packaging its routing software for other transit operators, aiming to make collective rides both smarter and greener.

ekar

ekar, founded in 2016 by Vilhelm Hedberg (CEO), operates at the crossroads of car ownership and public transport. UAE‑based, it lets users unlock vehicles by app in multiple Gulf cities for as little as a few minutes or as long as needed. One of MENA’s first contactless car‑share networks, ekar caters to users who want freedom without the cost and clutter of private cars.