INTERVIEW: 'Uber sees great potential in Egypt's tech sector': GM - Economy

Al-Ahram Weekly

06-04-2025

Ahram Online discussed significant advancements in Egypt's digital infrastructure and how they enhance the operations of ride-hailing apps with Youssef Abouseif, the General Manager (GM) for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain at Uber.
Abouseif also delves into the potential and challenges facing the Egyptian tech landscape, the current business atmosphere, and Uber's contributions to the local economy. He highlights the company's commitment to creating a safer, more efficient mobility ecosystem, reflecting a bright future for this burgeoning sector in Egypt.
Ahram Online: How do you see the digital infrastructure in Egypt enhancing the operation of ride-hailing apps in the local market?
Youssef Abouseif: Egypt has made significant strides in strengthening its digital infrastructure, which is crucial for the growth of ride-hailing services. Improvements in mobile connectivity and digital payment solutions have contributed to a more seamless experience for riders and drivers. Egypt will continue to invest in technology and infrastructure as part of its Vision 2030, which will further enable efficient mobility solutions and drive the industry forward.
AO: What is the Egyptian economy's potential regarding the tech industry landscape? Are there any challenges?
YA: Egypt has a strong foundation for tech growth with a rapidly expanding digital economy and a young and tech-savvy population. Uber sees excellent potential in Egypt's tech sector and continues to invest in innovative mobility solutions to support its growth.
AO: How do you perceive the current doing business atmosphere in Egypt?
YA: Egypt remains a key market for Uber, and we are motivated by the government's ongoing efforts to enhance the business environment. Egypt has taken steps to support digital businesses and encourage investment in the technology sector. We remain optimistic about the market's long-term potential and are committed to contributing to its growth.
AO: The latest Uber Economic Impact Report includes key figures that show how the ride-hailing industry could benefit local economies. Please expand on these results and their reflection on the Egyptian economy.
YA: As a leader in the ride-hailing industry in Egypt, Uber has been a catalyst for economic growth since its launch in 2014 by creating flexible earning opportunities for partner drivers and improving mobility for riders. Uber's EGP 7.4 billion to the economy helped individuals achieve financial security. In addition, we've contributed EGP 3.1 billion in additional value to the tourism sector by providing safe, reliable, and convenient products and features for tourists and locals alike.
In 2017, we launched the Cairo Center of Excellence, the largest Uber support hub in EMEA, serving 15 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the US in four languages. In 2018, we launched Uber Bus for the first time globally in Egypt, providing affordable and seamless mobility solutions for Egyptians.
Safety remains a top priority. We continue to build on top of our existing safety features to introduce new safety features for riders and driver partners, including in-app emergency features and trip audio recording. In addition, we have laid down industry-leading onboarding guidelines for all partner drivers who sign up for Uber, including criminal record certificates, negative drug tests, vehicle worthiness reports, mandatory safety education, and enhanced screenings that include random monthly randomized drug tests.
AO: Could you update us on Uber's expansion plan in Egypt in 2025?
YA: We are exploring ways to grow our presence in Egypt. We believe Uber is part of a diverse mobility ecosystem, with public transport being the backbone. We want Uber to be a gateway to multimodal transport, with shared mobility extending the reach of transit and making it a more accessible option. Therefore, we're exploring potential integrations with the monorail lines and other mobility solutions in new urban communities. We are committed to continuing to innovate our mobility, offering and helping people access modes of transport that meet their daily needs. Our focus remains on increasing accessibility to Uber, optimizing earning opportunities, and ensuring a safe and reliable ride-hailing experience for all users.
AO: Are there new collaborations in the pipeline with Egypt's government?
YA: We continue to engage in ongoing discussions with government stakeholders to explore ways to enhance the sector, including improving transport infrastructure, increasing safety standards, and supporting digital transformation initiatives.
Improving safety in the ride-hailing industry is a continuous process that requires active collaboration between policymakers, industry players, and subject matter experts to set legislative frameworks and industry-wide standards.
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