Dubai's Dubizzle Group gains ownership of Egyptian online car platform Hatla2ee, financial details withheld
In a move to bolster its growth in the MENA region, Dubizzle Group, previously known as Emerging Markets Property Group (EMPG), has acquired Egyptian online car marketplace Hatla2ee. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Imran Ali Khan, CEO of Dubizzle Group, commented on the acquisition, saying, "Egypt is a key focus for Dubizzle Group's future growth." He further added that joining forces with Hatla2ee opens up new opportunities to enhance their platform, leverage advanced technology, and create a better experience for users in Egypt.
Hatla2ee, founded in 2016 by Samy Swellam, has grown to become one of Egypt's leading automotive marketplaces, attracting over 2 million monthly visitors across its website and mobile app. Samy Swellam, CEO of Hatla2ee, stated that the acquisition reinforces Dubizzle Group's commitment to transforming the way Egyptians buy and sell cars.
The platform enables users to buy and sell both new and used cars, making it a valuable addition to Dubizzle Group's existing offerings in Egypt. Dubizzle Group already operates Dubizzle for general classifieds and Bayut for real estate listings in Egypt.
The acquisition of Hatla2ee is not the only expansion for Dubizzle Group, as it continues to expand its portfolio across the MENA region through strategic acquisitions. In 2024, the group acquired Drive Arabia, a UAE-based automotive news, reviews, and car comparison platform. This strengthened Dubizzle Group’s automotive content and advertising capabilities in the Middle East.
In the same year, Dubizzle Group also acquired Property Monitor, a UAE-based real estate data and analytics platform. This enhanced Dubizzle Group’s real estate vertical by providing market intelligence to agents and developers, complementing its existing platforms like Bayut and Dubizzle. Property Monitor had a revenue CAGR of 55% from 2022 to 2024.
The Dubai-headquartered firm has also expanded its reach to Egypt, Morocco, Thailand, Bangladesh, and various markets where Lamudi operated. The acquisition of Mubawab in Morocco is a part of Dubizzle Group's expansion strategy in the MENA region.
In 2020, Dubizzle Group merged with OLX, which made it a unicorn. The acquisitions are part of Dubizzle Group’s focused M&A strategy to strengthen its digital marketplace offerings in real estate and automotive sectors across the MENA region, furthering its growth and preparing for an eventual IPO.
[1] Dubizzle Group Acquires Hatla2ee, Boosting Presence in Egyptian Automotive Market. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.dubizzle.com/news/dubizzle-group-acquires-hatla2ee
[2] Dubizzle Group Bolsters Automotive Content and Advertising Capabilities with Drive Arabia Acquisition. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.dubizzle.com/news/dubizzle-group-drive-arabia-acquisition
[3] Dubizzle Group Enhances Real Estate Vertical with Property Monitor Acquisition. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.dubizzle.com/news/dubizzle-group-property-monitor-acquisition
[4] Dubizzle Group's M&A Strategy: Strengthening Digital Marketplace Offerings in Real Estate and Automotive Sectors. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.dubizzle.com/news/dubizzle-group-ma-strategy
Technology integration will be essential in enhancing the platform and creating a better user experience for Egyptians as Dubizzle Group merges with Hatla2ee. Dubizzle Group's expansion strategy in the MENA region, particularly in the automotive and real estate sectors, highlights their commitment to leveraging advanced technology to bolster their growth.
