Al Ain's Camel Market Goes Digital with New App

The traditional camel trading hub of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, is witnessing a digital transformation with the launch of Hign Al Khaleej, a startup founded by Jaber Al Ahbabi. This new marketplace, which roughly translates to "Gulf camels," began operations in late 2024. By 2025, it had attracted over 15,000 users across its app and web platforms.

Al Ahbabi aims to modernize the age-old practice of camel trading, which has been a cornerstone of Gulf life for centuries. The traditional system is often inefficient, involving long distances and uncertain sales. Hign Al Khaleej addresses these issues by providing a centralized platform listing camels from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.

Each listing includes crucial details such as a camel's age, breeding, and medical history, along with basic user vetting. Beyond transactions, the app also facilitates the sale of camel food and medicine, and lists camel-related job opportunities. The platform has already seen approximately 3,000 camels sold.

Hign Al Khaleej recently participated in a three-month startup development program, securing third place and AED40,000 (approximately $10,000) in in-kind support. Al Ahbabi envisions the company becoming the premier destination for all camel-related needs.

Camels remain culturally significant in the region, with the emirate of Abu Dhabi alone having an estimated population of 500,000. They are utilized for transportation, meat, milk, and are central to popular sports like camel racing and lucrative beauty pageants. For instance, the Al Dhafra Camel Festival in Abu Dhabi offers AED97 million ($26.4 million) in prize money for its beauty competitions.