China’s Meituan prepares to launch ‘Keeta’ Food delivery app in Kuwait
With Kuwait’s delivery market handling 500,000–600,000 orders daily and growing, Meituan’s entry may shake up competition and transform consumer expectations
Chinese food delivery giant Meituan is gearing up to enter the Kuwaiti market through its popular app Keeta, with operations expected to launch by late 2025 or early 2026.
According to Al-Qabas, the company has already secured headquarters in a major commercial tower in downtown Kuwait City, initiated recruitment procedures, and begun talks with leading restaurant chains.
Following its successful launch in Saudi Arabia, where it invested over 1 billion riyals and captured the market share in quick time, Meituan aims to replicate that success in Kuwait — though experts say the Kuwaiti market is more saturated with delivery platforms.
Sources suggest Meituan could acquire a local delivery or logistics firm to ease its entry. The company may operate under Law No. 116 of 2013, which allows foreign ownership of up to 49% without going through the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), or apply through KDIPA for up to 100% ownership.
Keeta’s strategy relies on aggressive pricing, long-term promotions, and high driver incentives, raising concerns about pressure on local players and possible consumer dependency on discounted rates. It also employs cutting-edge AI to optimize customer and market targeting.
Meituan, valued at $140 billion, is a tech innovator in autonomous delivery. Its subsidiary, Keeta Drone, last year received the first commercial license in the UAE for beyond-visual-range drone deliveries—a service that could potentially be explored in Kuwait, pending regulatory approvals.
With Kuwait’s delivery market handling 500,000–600,000 orders daily and growing, Meituan’s entry may shake up competition and transform consumer expectations.
