Chinese food delivery brand Keeta, owned by Meituan, has officially launched in Dubai, marking its entry into the UAE. Keeta’s UAE debut is part of a rapid Gulf rollout—coming shortly after its launches in Kuwait and Qatar.
As part of its entry, the firm is offering promotional incentives, including 50% off first orders and free delivery, to attract UAE users. The platform touts speed and reliability as core differentiators.
In parallel, Keeta has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Ministry of Investment to establish its local headquarters in the UAE, aiming to create over 350 high-skilled jobs and onboard 5,000 local SMEs onto its platform.
Innovation & Drone Delivery Moves
The firm is pushing into drone logistics in Dubai as well. Its drone subsidiary, Keeta Drone, has secured the UAE’s first commercial BVLOS drone licence (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) and is operating several routes in Dubai Silicon Oasis. The licenses were granted by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) to deliver food and medical items across some urban routes.
This “ground and air” model is being framed as a strategic asset in urban deliveries, giving Keeta flexibility to bypass traffic and reduce last-mile delays.
Why It Matters for MENA
Dubai is one of the region’s most competitive food delivery markets. Keeta’s entry will push established players to up their game on service, pricing, and speed. The MoU and job creation are signals that the UAE is serious about attracting tech-driven logistics firms and making itself a regional hub.
For the wider MENA region, the firm’s expansion offers a template: tech-first logistics and strategic alignment with local authorities. For countries with an appetite for digitalization and smart infrastructure, like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Kuwait, platforms like Keeta may drive improvements in delivery efficiency, digital trust, and integration of SMEs into app ecosystems.
