Dubai’s ground transport industry is entering a new era of consolidation. Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) has announced the full acquisition of National Taxi LLC at an enterprise value of Dh1.45 billion, a deal that analysts expect will redraw the competitive map of urban mobility across the Emirates.
The transaction, funded entirely through new bank debt facilities, is anticipated to close in early Q3 2026, subject to regulatory approvals from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre. The structure is designed to avoid equity dilution while preserving balance sheet strength — a deliberate signal to investors that DTC intends to grow without compromising financial discipline.
National Taxi brings considerable operational weight to the deal. Founded in 2000, the company operates approximately 2,500 licensed plates and a fleet of over 2,700 vehicles across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain. In its last financial year ending July 2025, the business recorded 25.4 million trips at a 98 percent fleet utilisation rate, generating net revenue of Dh774 million and EBITDA of Dh183 million.
Upon completion, DTC’s Dubai market share will climb from 47 percent to approximately 59 percent. Critically, the deal delivers DTC its first meaningful position in Abu Dhabi, with an estimated 12 percent market share — opening a growth corridor that the company has long been expected to pursue.
On a combined basis, the merged entity will operate a fleet exceeding 14,000 vehicles, serving an estimated 78 million trips annually across the UAE. Leverage is projected at around 2.5 times net debt to EBITDA at completion, with progressive deleveraging supported by strong cash generation.
DTC’s integration strategy is measured. The company plans to retain the National Taxi brand and customer-facing operations while consolidating central functions, including finance, procurement, and back-office operations. Synergies are estimated at around five percent of National Taxi’s net revenue, primarily from fleet procurement savings and centralised maintenance.
DTC Chairman Abdul Muhsen Ibrahim Kalbat described the acquisition as a strategic inflection point, reinforcing leadership in Dubai while establishing a meaningful presence in Abu Dhabi. CEO Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi confirmed the deal is expected to be earnings accretive from the first full year of ownership.
For investors, the deal demonstrates DTC’s appetite for inorganic growth at scale. For commuters, it promises improved service reliability as operational efficiencies are realised across a significantly expanded network.
The UAE’s taxi sector is consolidating rapidly around data, scale, and technology. With this acquisition, DTC has positioned itself as the dominant platform through which that transformation will be led.
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