Abu Dhabi Partners with Keeta to Boost Data-Driven Food Delivery Insights

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 27-02-2026

4 min

Abu Dhabi signs MoU with Keeta to share delivery data.

Aim is "evidence-based policymaking" with less guesswork, more facts.

Partners will exchange operational data on logistics, volumes and traffic patterns.

Workshops and training aim to build analytical capabilities and trust.

Officials say it supports a "sustainable, diversified economy" and SME growth.

Abu Dhabi is doubling down on data, and this time, it is the food delivery sector in the spotlight.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Keeta, the international on-demand food delivery platform backed by Chinese tech giant Meituan. The aim is straightforward but ambitious: share data, exchange knowledge, and work more closely to strengthen the food delivery, transport and logistics sectors across the emirate.

His Excellency Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of ADDED, witnessed the signing, which fits into the department’s wider push for evidence-based policymaking. In plain terms, they want sharper insights before making economic decisions, less guesswork, more facts. And believe it or not, that can make a world of difference in fast-moving industries like delivery and logistics, where consumer behaviour shifts almost overnight.

Under the agreement, ADDED and Keeta will exchange both quantitative and qualitative data related to operations, logistics activity, market performance and sector trends. It may sound technical, but it really boils down to understanding what is happening on the ground, from delivery volumes to traffic patterns, and using that knowledge to shape smarter regulations and support systems.

I’ve seen many startups across the MENA region struggle because policy sometimes lags behind innovation. At Arageek, we often hear founders say that clearer rules and better market visibility would save them a great deal of hassle, and capital. So when authorities lean into data-driven frameworks, it feels like a step that is spot on. That said, execution is everything.

His Excellency Mohammed Alshaiba Al Sharyani, Acting Director General of Economic Affairs at ADDED, described the agreement as part of the broader mission to build a sustainable, diversified economy by enabling investment through insights, services and trusted regulations. He noted that leveraging high-quality data and technical expertise would help deepen understanding of market dynamics, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a destination for talent and business.

On the other side, Lucas Xie, General Manager of Keeta UAE, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to creating a more informed and resilient economic ecosystem. According to his remarks, Keeta sees data as a practical bridge between day-to-day operational realities and better decision-making, particularly in sectors where speed and efficiency are critical.

The partnership will not stop at data exchange. Workshops, seminars and training sessions are also planned, aimed at building analytical capabilities on both sides. Capacity building might sound like corporate jargon, well… I mean, it often does, but in practice it can help public and private teams actually understand each other’s constraints and priorities, which is no small thing.

For Abu Dhabi, this move aligns with its broader strategy to strengthen SMEs and encourage private-sector participation in economic development. The food delivery market, once seen as just a convenience service, has become a serious economic engine, supporting thousands of couriers, restaurants and tech professionals. Getting its regulatory environment right is, frankly, critical.

I reckon partnerships like this will become more common across the region as governments seek real-time insight instead of relying on historical reports that arrive a bit too late. The real test, of course, will be how effectively the shared data translates into tangible improvements for businesses on the ground.

For startups watching closely, there is something encouraging here. When regulators and tech platforms sit at the same table, not at odds, but in cooperation, it tends to create a more stable playing field. And for entrepreneurs building in logistics, food tech or last-mile delivery, stability can make all the diffrence.

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