How Dubizzle is redefining digital marketplaces – and what it tells us about the next chapter of economic participation in the region
The Middle East’s digital economy is undergoing rapid transformation, and few companies embody this shift more than Dubizzle Group. Known for building and scaling digital platforms that reflect the real needs of people, the group is redefining how individuals across the region participate in the economy.
With a portfolio spanning multiple countries—including Bayut and dubizzle in the UAE, and OLX and Hatla2ee in Egypt—Dubizzle Group has established itself as a leader in digital marketplaces. But what makes its success noteworthy is not the replication of a single model across geographies. Instead, the company thrives by adapting its platforms to reflect the unique behaviours and preferences of each market.
“By any measure, 15 million users a month is an impressive number,” says Haider Khan, CEO of Dubizzle Group MENA. “But what’s more interesting is how those users behave – and how a tech company in Dubai has learned to behave like them. We’ve built platforms that truly reflect the needs and behaviours of people in each market we serve. Whether it’s a first-time property investor in Dubai or a used car buyer in Cairo, we aim to meet them where they are, with localised experiences backed by powerful technology.”
This approach underscores a bigger story: the digital economy in the Middle East is not about imposing a one-size-fits-all solution but about localising experiences in a way that makes them relevant, useful, and empowering. For Dubizzle, the mission goes beyond transactions—it’s about enabling economic participation at scale, giving millions of people the tools to buy, sell, invest, and connect in ways that feel natural to them.
As the region looks ahead to a more connected and tech-driven future, Dubizzle’s journey offers a blueprint for what it takes to build sustainable, user-centric digital ecosystems. By combining scale with local insight, the group is not only shaping online marketplaces but also helping define the next chapter of the Middle East’s economic story.
