Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), announced that Dubai’s commercial transport sector recorded significant growth in 2025, with the number of licensed companies exceeding 40% compared to 2024.
The total number of vehicles registered in the sector exceeded 500,000, reflecting an increase of approximately 25%. The commercial transport sector’s direct contribution to Dubai’s economy exceeded Dh8.4 billion annually.
He said: “The number of licensed commercial transport companies increased from 12,100 in 2024 to 16,917 in 2025, confirming the expansion of the sector’s business base and continued investor confidence in Dubai’s economic situation. These results reaffirm the emirate’s established position as a major global hub for transport and logistics.”
“This robust growth is being driven by several strategic factors, most notably the acceleration of digital transformation, widespread adoption of smart solutions, growing demand for app-based delivery services, and continued expansion of logistics operations, vehicle rental services and related commercial transportation activities. These trends reflect the rapid evolution of trade patterns and global supply chains.”
Al Tayer also said: “The sector’s performance is fully in line with the objectives of the Dubai Commercial and Logistics Land Transport Strategy 2030, which aims to strengthen the sector’s contribution to sustainable economic development and strengthen its role as a fundamental pillar of Dubai’s integrated economic ecosystem.”
Al Tayer further added, “2025 marked the launch of several strategic initiatives to strengthen the socio-economic indicators of the sector. Most notably, RTA introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework governing the operation of autonomous heavy vehicles in the logistics sector, supporting the implementation of advanced technologies and strengthening Dubai’s competitiveness in the advanced transport sector.”
He further pointed out that RTA has also launched a digital “logisti” platform for logistics operations, achieving strong market penetration and increasing engagement between operators and users. The platform won the ideasUK Idea of the Year 2025 – Innovation Award, reflecting Dubai’s leadership in providing advanced digital solutions for logistics activity management.
“As part of our commitment to sustainability, RTA has entered into a partnership agreement with a specialist company to build a network of delivery bike battery swapping stations across Dubai, accelerating the transition to low-emission mobility solutions. In parallel, RTA has developed a network of dedicated rest areas for delivery drivers across the emirate, strengthening road safety and helping to improve working conditions.”
He said: “Sustained growth in the commercial transport sector reflects growing confidence in Dubai’s business environment and strengthens the emirate’s position as a world-leading hub for transport and logistics. This momentum fosters sustainable economic development and further consolidates the sector’s role as a key driver of growth.”
“RTA remains committed to supporting the leadership’s vision to strengthen the governance of Dubai’s commercial transport activities, foster effective strategic partnerships with the private sector, streamline commercial licensing procedures, and solidify Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for business and trade.”
He said: “The commercial transport sector contributes more than Dh8.4 billion to Dubai’s economy annually and is a fundamental pillar of the emirate’s economic system. It plays a vital role in advancing the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by facilitating the movement of goods, increasing the efficiency of global supply chains, strengthening Dubai’s global competitiveness and generating positive social and environmental impact.”
“Continued innovation, deepening integration between the public and private sectors, and widespread adoption of advanced technologies and smart solutions will take the commercial transport sector to new levels of growth in the next phase. This will strengthen Dubai’s leadership in commercial transport and land logistics, attract local and international investments, and ensure the sustainability of business activities across diverse economic sectors,” Al Tayer concluded.
