Since its founding over a decade ago, Careem has been dedicated to simplifying the lives of people in the MENAP region. Millions of customers from Morocco to Pakistan now depend on Careem for daily services like transportation, food and grocery delivery, payments, micromobility, and more.
Central to Careem’s operations are AI and ML technologies, which have been pivotal in streamlining our services since 2012, but also in Careem’s transformation from a ride-hailing platform into an Everything App a few years ago.
Across the platform, AI enables seamless booking to frequent destinations like home, work, or the gym with one click, tailors delivery services to individual tastes, calculates precise meal delivery times accounting for factors like prayer times and Iftar during Ramadan, along with weather conditions.
AI and ML models also enhance map functionality, accurately estimate ETAs, manage demand through surge pricing, and connect customers with the nearest captains. We also utilise AI for facial recognition verification of captains and real-time detection and prevention of fraudulent activities, enhancing app security as customer engagement grows.
Careem’s transformation into an Everything App was bolstered by its AI and ML technology, alongside strategic partnerships with cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS’s reliable and secure infrastructure allows Careem to host its entire platform, enabling us to focus on innovative solutions tailored to the MENAP region.
The partnership with AWS remains vital to Careem’s growth. We’re always exploring new ways to leverage AWS services to expand our reach and capabilities. The expansion of Careem’s mobility platform into an Everything App, a one-stop solution for most daily services, marks a pivotal milestone in this journey.
Scaling capabilities, expanding global reach
In 2023, e&, the UAE-based global tech and telecoms powerhouse, invested $400 million into Careem’s Everything App services, driven by a shared vision of Careem’s potential for regional expansion. This investment follows Uber’s historic acquisition of Careem, positioning the Everything App strongly with two influential partners.
e&’s recent investment supports core services such as Careem Food, Careem Quik Groceries, Careem Pay, and Careem DineOut, leveraging Careem’s strengths in logistics, digital payments, and customer experience. Careem Plus, now the largest subscription program in the UAE, ties these services together, offering customers substantial value with average monthly savings exceeding AED200, and reaching AED1,000 for active customers.
Streamlining services in core markets
Although Careem operates in more than 80 cities and 10 countries, it is first and foremost focused on solving problems in its existing markets by extending the Everything App in core markets like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan.
The enormous growth potential in these markets makes them a primary focus for us in 2024. Their tech-savvy and rapidly growing populations, abundance of tech talent, along with their expanding infrastructure, present significant opportunities for the growth of the Everything App. Currently, Careem Pay, Careem Food, and Careem Quik Groceries, along with Careem Rides, are the fastest-growing services on the platform, while newer services like Careem DineOut also show incredible potential.
Building a trusted app for the region
Careem has become a household favourite in the region for many reasons, but what truly makes it stand out is the personalised app experience that makes daily life easier. Millions of customers rely on Careem to save time and money through tailored experiences, building strong trust in both the app and the Careem brand.
Beyond convenience, Careem has been a key player in fostering the region’s startup ecosystem. More than a hundred of Careem’s alumni have founded successful startups, several of which have achieved unicorn status, echoing Careem’s entrepreneurial spirit.
But Careem’s success isn’t just the success of the app – it’s about the collective effort. With thousands of passionate colleagues building the region’s first Everything App, supported by 2.5 million captains that keep the engines moving, and partnerships with governments and cloud providers like AWS, Careem has come a really long way. However, our journey is far from over. We’re currently simplifying life for millions of people every month, but our goal is to extend this impact to hundreds of millions across the region.
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