The bustling and vibrant streets of Cairo and other major cities in Egypt are becoming the scene of a subtle but increasingly lively competition that is contributing to a change in the transportation networks along the way: local and foreign ride-hailing platforms vying for a slice of the Arab world’s largest market for providers of mobility as a service.

Since its entry into Egypt in 2014, US-based Uber, which operates in 10 cities across the country in addition to Cairo, has maintained a long-standing market dominance. But the entry of new global ride-hailing companies since 2020 and the emergence of other alternatives have marked a turning point increasing competition and the range of possibilities.

“[These companies] significantly increase the mobility options for individuals, especially for the young who are not purchasing cars at the same rate as their parents. They no longer have to be restricted with fixed route transit systems,” Maged Dessouky, professor at the University of Southern California specializing in transportation systems, told Al-Monitor.

With a population of over 100 million and one of the fastest-growing demographics in the region, Egypt represents a lucrative market. According to a 2021 study by the market research and consulting company Grand View Research, viewed by Al-Monitor, Egypt’s ride-hailing services market was valued at $922 million in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 15.8% until 2028. This increase will be mainly driven by its growing urban population, low vehicle ownership rate, inadequate public transport infrastructure and rising internet penetration and use of smartphones.