Saudi Delivery Apps 2026: HungerStation in the Uber Deal as Jahez and Keeta Race for Share

Saudi delivery apps have become central to a 14.6 billion dollar global acquisition after loyalty subscribers generated 61% of the kingdom's total food order value. Platforms like HungerStation and Jahez are no longer simple ordering tools; they are core operating assets reshaping the digital economy.

Saudi delivery apps are digital platforms connecting restaurants, customers, and drivers to provide online food ordering and related logistics services.

What was the global deal that highlighted Saudi Arabia's market strength?

Uber Technologies acquired Germany's Delivery Hero in a deal valued at 12.7 billion euros, or about 14.6 billion dollars, according to Al Eqtisadiah newspaper. The transaction priced shares at 41.5 euros each, combining ride-hailing, food delivery, and quick commerce into a single platform operating across 99 countries.

Based on 2025 data, the combined platform's gross merchandise value reached 236 billion dollars. The acquisition followed strong first-quarter 2026 operating results for Delivery Hero, where gross merchandise value rose 8.8% year-on-year to 12.5 billion euros and segment revenue grew 17.8% to 3.73 billion euros.

How did HungerStation lead the Saudi delivery market?

Delivery Hero's results showed Saudi Arabia as one of the group's primary growth engines, recording the highest subscription rate among all its markets. Gross merchandise value in the Middle East and North Africa region climbed 16.1% year-on-year, driven by strong growth from the HungerStation and Talabat apps, Al Eqtisadiah reported.

The 61% figure does not mean that share of customers holds subscriptions. Rather, subscribed customers generate 61% of total order value. This metric ranks among the most important measures of revenue quality for digital economy companies, reflecting higher order frequency, stronger customer retention, and stable income.

How did Jahez evolve on the Saudi stock exchange?

Jahez International Company for Information Systems Technology is a Saudi technology firm that launched in 2017 to deliver restaurant orders online before converting into a closed joint-stock company in 2020. Its operations cover food delivery, logistics, cloud kitchens, and lifestyle solutions, according to Wikipedia.

The company passed through several financial milestones:

1. In December 2021, Jahez announced plans for an initial public offering and listing on the parallel Nomu market.
2. On January 5, 2022, trading began on the Nomu market under ticker 9526.
3. By the end of 2023, company profits rose to 125.3 million riyals, up from fifty-nine million riyals in 2022.
4. In November 2024, the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) approved the company's request to transfer to the main Tadawul All Share Index (TASI).
5. On December 10, 2024, shares were listed and began trading on the main index under ticker 6017 in the consumer services sector.
6. In July 2025, Jahez announced a purchase and subscription agreement to acquire 76.56%.

Ghasab Al-Manea and Hamad Abdullah Al-Bakr founded the company. Ghasab Al-Manea serves as CEO, and the share capital stands at 104.9 million Saudi riyals.

Why is quick commerce driving growth?

Growth extended beyond traditional food delivery. Quick commerce order value jumped 30% to 2.2 billion euros during the first quarter of 2026, raising its contribution to 18% of Delivery Hero's total gross merchandise value. The company reaffirmed its target of 910 to 960 million euros in adjusted operating profit for 2026, expecting free cash flow to exceed two hundred million euros.

How do infrastructure and technology support the delivery sector?

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services in Saudi Arabia oversees various transport modes and integrates all sectors to establish the kingdom as a global logistics hub linking three continents, according to the official website of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services. Adopting modern transport systems and related technologies strengthens human and technical capabilities across the sector.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) represents another pillar for the digital economy. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) established the Center of Excellence for Generative AI in September 2024, led by Professor Bernard Ghanem with Professor Juergen Schmidhuber as co-director. This sector is expected to contribute 3% of the kingdom's gross domestic product by 2030, according to the KAUST website.

Key figures

• Uber-Delivery Hero deal value: 14.6 billion dollars (Al Eqtisadiah)
• Combined platform gross merchandise value: 236 billion dollars based on 2025 data (Al Eqtisadiah)
• Order value share from subscribed customers in Saudi Arabia: 61% (Al Eqtisadiah)
• MENA gross merchandise value growth: 16.1% year-on-year (Al Eqtisadiah)
• Jahez profits by end of 2023: 125.3 million riyals (Wikipedia)
• Jahez share capital: 104.9 million Saudi riyals (Wikipedia)
• Jahez ticker on TASI: 6017 (Wikipedia)
• Expected GenAI contribution to GDP: 3% by 2030 (KAUST)

What should investors monitor next?

Watch how the Uber and Delivery Hero merger affects commission rates and service quality in the Saudi market over the coming months. Track Jahez stock (6017) performance on the main TASI market, particularly following its July 2025 announcement of a 76.56% acquisition agreement. Continued quick commerce expansion and rising consumer reliance on subscriptions point to structural shifts in daily purchasing habits, supported by logistics infrastructure investments and generative AI technologies.