Key figures include AED 2.1M raised for Gaza relief, a 81% surge in Suhoor grocery orders, and over AED 300 million saved by Careem Plus members in the UAE
Careem has shared a set of customer trends from across its app during Ramadan 2026. The Holy Month coincided with a period of regional uncertainty, which affected communities across the UAE. During this time, Careem worked with local authorities to keep its Captains safe while maintaining access to essential services for customers. The UAE’s infrastructure allowed Careem to keep its operations running and continue supporting its Captains, partners, customers, and colleagues.
Seeds for Gaza
This Ramadan, Careem changed the Arabic dot in its logo to watermelon seeds as part of Seeds for Gaza, a humanitarian campaign directing customers to Gaza relief efforts. The campaign brought together 4,840 customers, a number of partners, and Careem’s own colleagues, raising over AED 2.1M in total. Within the Food vertical alone, 47,500 orders across 429 merchants and 110 brands were tied to the campaign.
Careem Food
Careem Food recorded strong demand throughout Ramadan. Suhoor orders leaned towards fast food, while Iftar orders centred on Lentil Soup, burgers, and Hummus. Zaatar w Zeit was a popular restaurant choice among customers who were fasting. The largest single Careem Food order in Dubai came from Sushi Buzz, and the largest in Abu Dhabi came from Pizza Di Rocco, both placed during Iftar hours.
Careem Quik
Orders placed around Iftar, between 5pm and 6pm, rose by more than 33%, while Suhoor orders at 4am were up 81% compared to the week before Ramadan. The most frequently ordered grocery items were bananas, bottled water, and cucumbers. The largest single grocery order in Dubai covered 82 unique items, while the biggest in Abu Dhabi reached 30 items. The fastest delivery of the month took under two minutes and consisted of a single packet of Doritos. Order volumes across Careem Quik also reflected the broader regional uncertainty that ran through March, which affected communities and commerce across the area.
Careem Pay
Careem Pay, the digital payments and remittance service within the app, recorded growth in international transfers during Ramadan. India remained the top corridor by transfer volume, while Bangladesh recorded the strongest growth of any corridor during the Holy Month. As regional uncertainty grew through March, remittance activity continued to rise. One customer completed 70 separate transfers to the Philippines across 21 days of Ramadan. Another transferred money to India in 12 seconds on 28 February, the fastest transfer of the month.
Careem Plus
Careem Plus members in the UAE saved over AED 300 million during the period. The most active member saved AED 17,847. The three most-used services among Plus members were Food, Hala, and Quik.
Careem Bike
The earliest rides of the month started at 5am. Three cyclists with monthly passes completed a ride every single day of Ramadan, primarily in JLT. The longest single trip of the month covered 39.66km, from Kite Beach to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
Captains and Customer Generosity
Careem ran a tip-matching campaign during Ramadan. The top tipper was a Dubai-based customer who tipped on nine separate journeys, with total tips reaching AED 950, an average of just under AED 107 per trip. Two other customers, tipping across ten and seven rides, added a further AED 885 in Captain tips between them.
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