Egyptian parliament adopts a new law to regulate ride-sharing services

Egypt’s parliament adopted a law which regulates the provision of ride-sharing services by companies such as Uber and Careem. The law states that companies providing ride-sharing services can operate after obtaining a five-year renewable licence for a fee of approximately USD$1.71 million. Drivers also have to obtain special licenses – for an annual fee –to be able to operate with such companies. In addition, the law requires companies to retain the data of customers for 180 days, and provide such data to the authorities upon request. The new regulation was welcomed by the two companies, which earlier this year saw their services being temporarily suspended by an Egyptian court in a case brought by taxi drivers in the country. While the suspension was lifted by another court, the case is to be heard in a higher court.