Uber enters alliance with Zain to boost Middle East performance

Middle East-Zain Group recently announced that it entered into a group-wide agreement with Uber to offer Zain customers discounted and preferential services when using the Uber platform.

The partnership between Zain and Uber -- the first of its kind in the region -- is effective and operational in Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, where services are being progressively rolled-out. Preferential services will soon be launched in Kuwait for Zain customers.

The agreement will see Uber choosing Zain as its mobile launch partner and main mobile service provider for any future Uber service in any country where Zain operates. This will also allow Uber's partner drivers to benefit from exclusive phone and data deals offered by Zain.

The partnership aims to improve the Uber experience with Zain providing superior network quality and ease of use for Uber driver partners, and the two companies are set to collaborate on the enablement of mobile payments for Uber services as well as the future provision of Wi-Fi in vehicles for Zain customers.