When we closed 2021, we completed Uber’s Year in Review – a look back over the year to reflect on how Uber was used in the MENA region.
Since launch, we’ve been busy
Zooming out, Uber has been busy since we launched in MENA. Over 31 million riders have taken trips, and drivers have always been there to support, with 703,000 drivers in Egypt, 530,000 drivers in Saudi Arabia and 18,000 drivers in the UAE making a trip since launch using the Uber app.
A look back at 2021
As we all know, 2021 continued to be dramatically shaped by the ever-evolving global pandemic. And as everyone adapted to this “new normal”, people continued to use Uber in all different ways to suit their changing needs – whether it be from their homes, on their holidays, at their place of work, and everywhere in between!
Where We Traveled
The roll out of vaccines and relaxing of some restrictions over the course of the year, meant that international travel became an option again for many. We also saw an increase in the number of people commuting into offices and places of work again – in fact, 6:00pm in the UAE was when drivers received the most trip requests, as the workday ends and offices clear out.
Some of our key travel trends from 2021:
The year’s #1 rider: A rider in Saudi Arabia topped the charts with an impressive 1,706 trips this year – taking on average 4 trips a day!
The year’s #1 driver: Drivers have been busy too, with the top drivers making thousands of trips through the app, such as 7,613 in the Eastern Province in KSA, 6,978 in Cairo, and 4,244 in Dubai.
Uber Bus: Reaching another milestone, Uber Bus witnessed growth of 2.4x compared to 2020 as it continued to facilitate affordable trips for commuters across Cairo.
Vaccination-bound: supporting the community through the pandemic, riders have taken more than 126,355 free or discounted trips through the app to and from Covid-19 vaccination centers.
International jet-setters: 2021 saw the rebirth of traveling and, from Los Angeles to Sydney, people around the world love to use Uber when abroad. People from 80 countries used the Uber app while visiting Egypt and from 84 countries while visiting the UAE.
Tourist traps: The tourist hot spots in the Middle East were popular trip destinations, with 14,747 trips to the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, was also popular, racking up 319,596 trips. The Boulevard in Riyadh is also one of the top destinations in KSA.
Evening festivities: As restrictions eased, riders enjoyed the revival to their social lives, with Zamalek ranking as the #1 nightlife destination in Egypt with 669,222 trips.
We appreciated each other more than ever: Drivers across MENA received 109,541,802 5-star rated trips, which translated into tipping, with an 80% increase on tipping in Mecca, compared to 2020.
2022:
One of our key priorities in 2022 will be to support the mobility technology industry to recover and grow as we work to achieve our overarching vision of a convenient, smart and sustainable mobility ecosystem.
We will continue to be bold, using Uber’s technology merged with our hyperlocal approach to innovate faster. We are more focused than ever on making Uber the best platform for earners while also championing women empowerment across the region, through initiatives such as Wusool, Uber’s largest subsidized program globally.
Riders remain a key focus, as we look to facilitate more ridesharing options, features and even more advanced safety. We will continue to innovate with new products and initiatives that help move us, together with strategic partners, governments, drivers and, of course, riders as we work to make the Uber app an essential part of everyday life.
