Say goodbye to static product photos as Shahbandr, the Saudi-based e-commerce enabler, is bringing video commerce to the MENA region, and it’s changing how merchants engage with online shoppers.
Launched less than two years ago, Shahbandr has already helped 15,000+ merchants launch online stores and marketplaces. Now, it’s rolling out its most ambitious feature yet: a proprietary video commerce infrastructure that allows online sellers to interact with customers via live and interactive video showcases.
This innovation couldn’t come at a better time. Globally, video commerce is booming, especially in Asia where livestream shopping on platforms like TikTok and Taobao drives billions in revenue. But for many small and mid-sized sellers in MENA, the technical cost and complexity of video integration has been a major barrier.
“With the rise of visual content across social platforms, today’s consumers are no longer drawn to a flat experience they want to see, engage, and feel something to decide instantly,” says Shady Abdelshaheed, CEO and Co-founder of Shahbandr.
“Video has become the most powerful medium for building trust and triggering purchase decisions.”
And the data backs him up. According to Shahbandr, video commerce can boost sales by up to 5x, increase customer engagement 10x, and generate 15x more interactions compared to traditional online listings.
Shahbandr: Built-in Edge for Merchants in Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Unlike other e-commerce platforms that treat video as an optional plugin or third-party integration, Shahbandr has built it into the infrastructure with no coding or production studio required. Sellers can quickly add video or livestream features to their stores and marketplaces without needing extra resources or technical skills.
This is part of Shahbandr’s broader strategy to become the go-to digital commerce enabler in MENA, combining payment systems, logistics, website performance, and analytics all in one place. The goal? Let merchants focus on growth, not tech.
“Video commerce marks a fundamental shift in product presentation,” says Abdelshaheed. “At Shahbandr, we design immersive and interactive experiences that allow merchants to make an impact before even saying a word.”
Beyond engagement, the impact is practical: video helps reduce return rates by up to threefold and can accelerate purchasing decisions by 4x. That means more sales, fewer complaints, and lower customer acquisition costs.
Already operating in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Shahbandr is setting its sights on broader regional expansion and is developing AI-powered video tools to help merchants generate dynamic content without needing a live host essentially democratizing video content creation.
As MENA’s e-commerce market continues to heat up, projected to hit $50 billion+ by 2025, platforms like Shahbandr are giving local businesses the tools to compete not just regionally, but globally.
