Latest news with #YoussefAbouseif
Leaders
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Leaders
Uber Rolls Out 'Women Drivers' Option in Saudi Arabia
Uber has launched the 'Women Drivers' option in Saudi Arabia – a new feature that allows female riders to pair exclusively with female drivers. Following its introduction in other countries, including Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and several European countries, the unique feature has come to Saudi Arabia for safer rides and more inclusive experience. Announced during Uber's 'By Women, For Women' special event in Riyadh, the launch of the new feature coincided with the 7th anniversary of lifting drive ban for women in Saudi Arabia. Women Drivers Option The 'Women Drivers' feature is part of a broader effort to increase Saudi women's participation in the work force, particularly the mobility sector. Moreover, the women-only taxis feature underscores Uber's commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for women, in line with the objectives of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. Women Empowerment On this occasion, Uber's General Manager in Saudi Arabia, Youssef Abouseif, said: 'The launch of the 'Women Drivers' product reflects our commitment to empowering women and supporting their mobility and economic independence. We're giving women more choice, more opportunity, and a strong sense of community.' The Kingdom has made major milestones toward empowering women and increasing their participation in the workforce, as part of its transformative Vision 2030. In the light of this, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women driving 7 years ago. The new feature will be gradually rolled out to Uber users across the Kingdom, allowing female drivers to accept exclusively female riders. Supportive Initiatives Additionally, Uber has announced ambitious programs to support obtaining licenses, as well as savings on vehicle access, offering more than 20 million subsidized rides for women. The platform has also launched communities for women drivers, where they can connect, receive top tips, and share their experiences. The #Gigsister initiative aims to empower women drivers and help them grow. Furthermore, the platform is partnering with Alnahda Society, a non-profit that supports women's empowerment, to promote women's financial literacy and economic independence in Saudi Arabia. Safer Rides As part of its safety measures, Uber has developed in-app emergency assistance, 24/7 incident support, as well as 'Follow My Ride' for a safer riding experience. In the light of this, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin, said: 'One thing we're not doing well is talking about safety for women. We're going to tell the world how safe Saudi Arabia is for our mothers, sisters and daughters, our female travelers.' Short link : Post Views: 23
Arabian Business
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
Uber launches ‘Women Drivers' feature in Saudi Arabia
Uber has announced the upcoming launch of its new 'Women Drivers' product in Saudi Arabia, allowing women riders to be matched exclusively with women drivers via the app. The new feature, which will roll out gradually in the coming weeks, marks a major step forward in enhancing mobility and economic inclusion for Saudi women. The launch coincides with the seven-year anniversary of the Kingdom's historic decision to lift the driving ban on women, and is positioned as part of Uber's broader mission to empower women through innovation, local partnerships, and economic opportunity. Uber Women Drivers in Saudi Arabia The product is also designed for ease of use to ensure women feel comfortable and empowered. It will be available gradually for riders in the coming weeks. Here's how the product works: On-demand: The Women Drivers product allows women riders to be matched with Women Drivers. The product functions just like UberX and is selectable from the product mini-list with similar prices to Uber X Reserve: For women riders looking for added structure and planning, they can reserve a ride with a women driver up to 30 minutes in advance through the Uber Reserve feature Youssef Abouseif, KSA GM at Uber, said: 'Women across Saudi Arabia have shown how mobility can open the door to new possibilities. At Uber, we see that future as electric, shared, and autonomous – but also inclusive. 'The launch of the 'Women Drivers' product reflects our commitment to empowering women and supporting their mobility and economic independence. 'We're continuing to support women who choose to drive via the Uber app – giving them more choice, more opportunity, and a stronger sense of community. 'We're also thrilled to witness this dynamic change unfold in Saudi Arabia, and we firmly believe initiatives like these play a pivotal role in Saudi Vision 2030.' Uber is partnering with Alnahda Society, a leading non-profit organisation established in 1962 with a mission to empower women both economically and socially. The collaboration aims to support women in mobility through capacity-building initiatives, including financial literacy programs, by equipping women with essential skills. The initiative paves the way for economic independence and opens up opportunities such as driving via the Uber app. This effort builds on Uber's previous collaboration with Alnahda through the Masaruky initiative, which supported thousands of women in joining the workforce by helping them learn to drive and obtain a driver's licence. Additionally, Uber will host its first GigSister program in Saudi Arabia, creating a dedicated space for women drivers to connect, share experiences, and foster a supportive local community. These initiatives highlight how Uber is going beyond mobility to actively invest in the development and success of women across the Kingdom. Over the years, Uber has introduced a series of programs in Saudi Arabia, from the Wusool initiative, which supported more than 20m subsidised rides for women, to Women Rider Preference, which allows women drivers to choose if they want to exclusively pick-up women riders. Each of these initiatives has been carefully curated to advance women's participation in the workforce and align with the Kingdom's broader socio-economic goals.
Gulf Insider
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Insider
Uber Launches All-Women Ride Option In Saudi Arabia To Boost Female Drivers
Ride-hailing giant Uber has introduced a new ride option in Saudi Arabia that allows women riders to be matched exclusively with female drivers, as part of broader efforts to increase women's participation in the workforce and the mobility sector. The initiative comes seven years after the Kingdom lifted the ban on women driving, and follows Uber's continued investment in localised programs to support Saudi Vision 2030 goals. The new feature, called Women Drivers , functions like the standard UberX service and will be gradually rolled out to riders across the country in the coming weeks. It enables women to either book on-demand trips or schedule them up to 30 minutes in advance using Uber Reserve. 'The launch of the 'Women Drivers' product reflects our commitment to empowering women and supporting their mobility and economic independence,' said Youssef Abouseif, General Manager of Uber in Saudi Arabia. 'We're giving women more choice, more opportunity, and a stronger sense of community.' Uber is also launching Saudi Arabia's first-ever GigSister event — a community-focused program offering a platform for female drivers to connect, share experiences, and build a local support network. In parallel, the company has partnered with Alnahda Society, a non-profit organisation focused on empowering women economically and socially. The collaboration includes capacity-building initiatives like financial literacy training, aiming to equip women with skills that could lead to economic independence, including driving for Uber. The new initiative builds on Uber's previous collaboration with Alnahda through the Masaruky program, which helped thousands of women gain driver's licenses and access mobility-based jobs. Uber has rolled out several female-focused services in Saudi Arabia in recent years, including: Wusool, which has facilitated over 20 million subsidised rides for women Women Rider Preference, allowing female drivers to exclusively accept women riders These efforts aim to increase women's workforce participation while offering greater comfort and flexibility for both drivers and riders.
Al-Ahram Weekly
06-04-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
INTERVIEW: 'Uber sees great potential in Egypt's tech sector': GM - Economy
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. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
20-02-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt is strategic market for Uber in MENA with bold economic atmosphere: CEO to Ahram Online - Markets & Companies
Egypt is a strategic and core market for Uber in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with a bold economic atmosphere, Youssef Abouseif, the company's general manager for Egypt, KSA, and Bahrain, told Ahram Online (AO). Abouseif said this on the sidelines of the conference Uber held Thursday in Cairo to present the report showcasing its economic impact in Egypt, marking a decade of operating in the country. He told AO that the ride-hailing company plans to expand locally by launching its services in more governorates nationwide. When asked about the digital infrastructure essential for Uber's operation in the country, Abouseif said: "Egypt has several robust potentials that support Uber operations." He noted that Monorail Egypt, currently under construction, has great potential for Uber as a ride-hailing app. It will connect public and smart transport providers and help the country's public and private sectors. Uber Egypt released its first-ever Economic Impact Report during the conference, highlighting its role in boosting Egypt's economy, empowering Egyptians with economic opportunities, and enhancing mobility. The report also revealed that Uber contributed an estimated EGP 7.4 billion to Egypt's economy. Moreover, it underscored the platform's impact on tourism, adding EGP 3.1 billion to the sector's revenues and demonstrating its tangible benefits for riders and partner drivers. The report, commissioned by Uber and conducted by Public First, also outlined the ride-hailing company's economic impact on local businesses, drivers, and riders in 2023. 'This report demonstrates the power of technology in transforming mobility and creating economic opportunities in Egypt,' Abouseif emphasized. 'Over the past decade, Uber has provided thousands of drivers with flexible earning opportunities and brought innovative solutions to help people access modes of transport that are safe, reliable, and convenient. As we look ahead, we remain committed to working with policymakers and industry players to further unlock the potential of the ride-hailing sector,' he added. Abouseif also revealed that drivers on the app are making EGP 1.8 billion in additional earnings annually. 'By offering opportunities that cater to those with caregiving responsibilities, 73 percent of drivers cited that it enabled them to balance work, family, and personal growth. Moreover, 64 percent reported that Uber helped them earn money in emergency situations, while 47 percent said their earnings through Uber made them feel more financially secure,' the report read. Additionally, the app's features, such as upfront pricing and GPS tracking, improve safety and ease of travel, making Egypt more accessible to global tourists exploring historic landmarks and coastal destinations. According to the report, Uber supported EGP 710 million in value for the leisure economy by enabling safe late-night travel, boosting hospitality, entertainment, and leisure venues, and strengthening economic activity in these sectors. The report also indicated that the Uber app saved riders 8.4 million hours annually or 59 years, enhancing efficiency and convenience. It showed that 70 percent of riders used Uber in emergency situations, while 48 percent relied on it to connect with public transport. The report added that 72 percent of riders used Uber for work commutes, 60 percent for airport rides, and 61 percent for social events. Short link:
