Saudi has a framework to regulate ride-sharing apps, Uber wins certification of compliance

Egyptian policy makers, take note: For once, Saudi Arabia may have leapfrogged Egypt when it comes to its regulatory framework. The kingdom has specified a framework for the regulation of the ride-sharing industry and awarded Uber a certificate of compliance. The regulations look to be part of KSA’s “Saudi-ization “ drive, as Uber’s press release quoting the head of the Saudi Public Transport Authority goes on at length about the fact that only Saudi nationals are allowed to sign up as Uber drivers in the kingdom. Uber has some 65k drivers there and is looking to have 100k by 2020, the company noted in an emailed statement (pdf).