Dubai’s leading e-hailing taxi solution, Hala, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global digital operator VEON Ltd. to explore a strategic partnership. The collaboration aims to expand ride-hailing and mobility services across VEON’s extensive operating markets in Asia and Eastern Europe.
The MoU, signed at VEON’s headquarters in Dubai, establishes a framework for the two companies to evaluate joint market entry and expansion opportunities, leveraging their respective strengths.
Combining Local Expertise With Global Scale
The potential partnership seeks to combine Hala’s proven operational expertise in the UAE’s competitive ride-hailing market with VEON’s significant digital scale and local presence across frontier markets. VEON currently operates in Pakistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh, reaching a combined population of 530 million people.
VEON aims to build on its existing experience in ride-hailing, which includes Uklon, Ukraine’s leading platform, to accelerate the growth of its mobility service offerings. The companies will also explore potential integrations within VEON’s broader digital ecosystem, which spans financial services, entertainment, and online marketplaces.
Strategic Vision From Leadership
Kaan Terzioglu, VEON Group CEO, highlighted the demand for localized solutions in their markets. “With our existing ride-hailing operations in Ukraine and Uzbekistan, we already see strong demand for locally-built, locally-relevant solutions that give us the opportunity to deliver valuable experiences to our customers,” he stated. “Our partnership with Hala has the potential to significantly accelerate the scale and impact of our mobility service offerings across our other markets.”
Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala, emphasized the scalability of their platform. “Hala has developed a scalable ride-hailing platform in the UAE built around operational efficiency, technology integration and consistent service delivery. Through this MoU with VEON, we are exploring how that experience can support expansion into new markets where VEON already has strong digital reach and customer relationships.”
Paving the Way for Frontier Market Entry
Under the MoU, VEON and Hala will jointly assess the commercial, operational, and technological foundations required to launch and scale locally-rooted ride-hailing platforms. This evaluation will cover various collaboration models, customer acquisition strategies, and opportunities for future growth, setting the stage for a potential large-scale international expansion powered by Dubai-grown expertise.
About Hala
Hala is Dubai’s leading e-hailing taxi solution, available through the Careem app. A joint venture between Careem and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Hala combines Careem’s ride-hailing technology with the RTA’s local knowledge to provide reliable and convenient transportation across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
About VEON
VEON is a global digital operator providing connectivity and a wide range of digital services to nearly 150 million customers across five countries. The company is transforming lives through technology-driven platforms that empower individuals and foster economic growth. VEON is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
Source: Zawya
