As the spirit of giving takes center stage this Ramadan, Careem has partnered with Hala to launch a limited-time “Tip Matching” initiative designed to directly boost the earnings of delivery and ride Captains across the UAE.

Running from February 18 to March 19, the initiative will see Careem match every customer tip of Dhs10 or more, at no additional cost to the customer. The matched amount will go directly to Captains, including Hala Taxi Captains operating through the Careem platform, effectively doubling their tips during the Holy Month.

Read more-Ramadan 2026: Salik tariffs, public parking and metro timings in Dubai

Mudassir Sheikha, CEO and co-founder of Careem, said the initiative reflects the company’s core values and appreciation for its workforce.

“Captains are the heartbeat of Careem. They serve our communities with relentless dedication, often while fasting during Ramadan,” Sheikha said. “This year, we are doubling the impact of our customers’ kindness: 100 per cent of every tip goes directly to our Captains, and Careem will match it dirham-for-dirham. Rooted in our value of being ‘Generous,’ this initiative is a tangible way to honor the spirit of the Holy Month and improve the lives of our captains.”

How the tip matching feature works

Under the program, when a customer tips Dhs10 or more after completing a ride, delivery, or Hala Taxi trip booked through the Careem app, the company will automatically match the tip amount. Both the original and matched tips are transferred instantly to the Captain’s Careem Pay account, allowing immediate access and bank transfers.

Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala, emphasised the broader impact of the initiative across Dubai’s transport sector.

“Hala Taxi Captains are an integral part of the Careem platform, and this initiative ensures they directly benefit from the increased generosity seen during Ramadan,” Nuseibeh said. “Tip Matching is a meaningful way to support captains on the road, helping them earn more while continuing to deliver a reliable service for passengers across Dubai during the Holy Month.”

Captains share their stories of impact

For many captains, tips represent more than supplemental income, they are life-changing contributions.

Muhammad Shahbaz, a Careem Captain for five years from Gujrat, Pakistan, described how his earnings have shaped his family’s future.

“I built my own house, and all four of my children are getting a good education. I even brought my brother to Dubai to work on the Careem app so he could have the same opportunities,” Shahbaz said. “When someone tips me, I know exactly where that money is going, straight to my family’s future.”

Adeel Muhammad, who has been a captain for seven years, shared a similar story of progress and responsibility.

“I’ve been on Careem since 2018. In that time, I built a double-story house back home, put all four of my children in school, and I take care of my mother’s medical needs,” he said. “Every ride, every tip, it all adds up. It’s how I provide for the people who depend on me.”

Broader Ramadan support initiatives

Beyond Tip Matching, Careem and Hala will distribute daily Iftar meals to captains across the UAE, ensuring those breaking their fast while on duty can do so with a warm meal.

The companies said the initiative reflects their year-round commitment to supporting captains through flexible earning opportunities, insurance programs, and continued investment in their well-being.

Customers can participate in the Tip Matching initiative by downloading or updating the Careem app and booking rides, Hala Taxi trips, or placing orders through Careem Food, Quik, Shops, or Box during Ramadan.

Dubai Holding has partnered with Nord Anglia Education to expand premium international education in Dubai.

Under the collaboration, Dubai Holding will develop purpose-built school facilities for Nord Anglia Education to operate, with the first campus planned for Dubai Production City.

The school will offer a British curriculum and serve families in neighbouring communities, including Jumeirah Golf Estates, Emirates Living, and Tilal Al Ghaf. Additional K-12 schools are envisioned across other Dubai Holding master-planned communities in the coming years.

In line with Dubai Holding’s diversification strategy

Omar Karim, CEO of Dubai Holding Investments, said the partnership “marks a significant milestone in our strategy to diversify our investment portfolio into high-value sectors. By integrating Nord Anglia’s educational excellence into our communities, we’re creating sustainable value while strengthening Dubai’s attractiveness and global position.”

Malek Al Malek, CEO of Dubai Holding Asset Management, added: “High-quality education is a critical part of our ambition to create future-ready urban centres. Our role in developing these campuses will help meet the growing needs of our communities and provide students with a learning experience that fosters innovation, creativity and global citizenship.”

Read: Dubai tightens teacher hiring and conduct rules in private schools

Nord Anglia Education network to benefit Dubai students

Nord Anglia Education, which operates 89 day and boarding schools in 37 countries, said the partnership would give Dubai students access to its Global Campus online platform, connecting them with more than 100,000 peers worldwide.

Students will also benefit from global experiences such as expeditions to Tanzania and Switzerland, as well as high-level regional sports and performing arts programmes.

Andrew Fitzmaurice, CEO of Nord Anglia Education, said: “Our collaboration with Dubai Holding will enable us to create new opportunities for families seeking premium international education. Nord Anglia’s personalised approach prepares students for the world of work and helps young people develop the confidence, creativity and collaborative mindset needed to succeed in the future.”

The partnership also leverages Nord Anglia’s collaborations with global institutions, including UNICEF, The Juilliard School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and IMG Academy, integrating social impact, performing arts, STEAM, sports and wellbeing into everyday learning.

Dubai’s private education sector has seen strong growth in recent years, supported by government strategies such as the Dubai Education Strategy 2033 (E33) and the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aim to provide world-class learning opportunities aligned with international standards.

Nord Anglia’s existing Dubai campuses, Nord Anglia International School Dubai and Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, are highly ranked internationally and have consistently achieved strong IB, A-Level and GCSE results, with graduates progressing to the world’s top 100 universities.

Read: Dubai Holding sells 24% stake in Empower to DEWA for Dhs5.18bn

Read: Mubadala to acquire $600m stake in Nord Anglia Education

Ramadan is a deeply spiritual time and one of the most meaningful months for families. Homes feel fuller, routines slow down, and conversations stretch long past iftar. It’s a time when money naturally becomes part of family life openly and visibly. Spending changes, priorities shift, and decisions around saving, giving, and planning are discussed more freely.

Drawing on her own experience of growing up with these traditions, Amina Taher, chief marketing officer at Wio Bank, reflects on how Ramadan creates everyday moments that quietly shape healthier financial habits. These lessons aren’t formal—they’re woven into real life, through shared routines and celebrations that help children and young adults understand money, responsibility, and independence in ways that feel natural and achievable.

Planning iftar shows how money decisions are shared during Ramadan

Iftar begins long before sunset. Families talk about menus, shopping lists, and guest numbers. Deciding whether to cook at home or order in introduces budgeting without it feeling like a chore. As gatherings grow and Eid prep begins, costs become visible. Parents explain how expenses are divided and why priorities matter. These conversations show children that money decisions are collaborative—not just handled by one person—and that compromise is part of financial planning.

Reading the fine print becomes part of everyday life

Ramadan brings tempting offers: discounts, subscriptions and delivery deals. These moments create natural opportunities to talk about why slowing down and checking details matter.

For teenagers and young adults, learning to read the fine print early helps them spot hidden fees and understand terms, skills that will serve them well when making bigger financial decisions later in life, like choosing who to bank with, who to take out loans from, where to invest, or which services to trust.

It’s a reminder that confidence with money isn’t just about how much you earn, save, or spend; it’s about knowing what you’re agreeing to and making choices with clarity.

Charitable giving links money to values

Giving sits at the heart of Ramadan, whether through zakat, donations, or quieter acts of support that strengthen both family and community bonds. These decisions are often discussed openly at home, allowing families to talk about intention, responsibility, and impact rather than focusing purely on numbers. When children see how giving is planned and prioritised, they begin to understand that money reflects values as much as spending power.

Preparing for Eid introduces patience, planning, and choice

Eid is one of the most anticipated moments of the year, especially for children. Clothes are chosen carefully, gifts are planned, and excitement builds as the end of Ramadan approaches. Families often set money aside in advance, deciding what to prioritise and where to spend a little more. When kids receive Eidiya, encourage them to decide: spend now, save for something bigger, or split between both. These choices make saving feel purposeful, not restrictive.

Managing money together builds confidence and independence

Ramadan opens space for honest conversations about household finances. Young adults may start contributing, while kids see how decisions are made.

While Ramadan lasts for one month, the habits it encourages and lessons learned, sharing decisions, reading the fine print, linking money to values, stay long after it ends. It’s a powerful reminder that financial education doesn’t start with rules; it starts at home and within the community, through real moments shared.

Dubai’s toll gate operator Salik is implementing revised toll charges and timings during the Holy Month of Ramadan 2026, adjusting peak and off-peak rates to reflect changes in traffic patterns.

Based on the meeting of the UAE’s Moon Sighting Committee, the Council of Fatwa has announced that Ramadan will be observed starting Wednesday, February 18.

Under the temporary schedule, motorists will be charged Dh6 when passing through Salik gates between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Saturday.

Outside those hours, from 7.00 am to 9.00 am and 5.00 pm to 2.00 am, the toll will be Dh4, while travel will be free between 2 am and 7 am.

On Sundays, excluding public holidays and major events, a flat Dh4 fee will apply during paid hours, with no charge between 2.00 am and 7.00 am.

The adjusted structure aligns with altered working hours and commuting patterns during Ramadan, when travel typically shifts later into the morning and increases before iftar.

The Ramadan pricing builds on Salik’s variable toll system introduced in 2025, which differentiates charges based on time of day to manage congestion and smooth traffic flows.

The revised tolls will apply across all Salik gates in Dubai for the duration of Ramadan 2026.

Public parking timings and tariff

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority also announced revised working hours for its services during the Holy Month. The updated schedule covers Customer Happiness Centres, vehicle technical inspection centres, Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport and public parking.

Public parking tariffs will apply in all parking zones from Monday to Saturday during two periods, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and from 8:00 pm to 12:00 midnight.

Multi-storey parking facilities will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority said Dubai Metro Red Line and Green Line stations will operate from Monday to Thursday from 5:00 am to 12:00 midnight. On Friday, services will run from 5:00 am to 1:00 am the following day.

On Saturday, trains will run from 5:00 am to 12:00 midnight, and on Sunday from 8:00 am to 12:00 midnight.

Dubai Tram will operate from Monday to Saturday from 6:00 am to 1:00 am the following day, and on Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 am the following day.

Public buses, marine transport, Customer Happiness Centres

For Dubai Bus services, passengers are advised to check the S’hail application for updated schedules during Ramadan.

For marine transport services, customers can check the authority’s website for the latest timings.

Customer Happiness Centres in Deira, Al Tawar, Al Manara and Al Kifaf will operate from Monday to Thursday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, and on Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

The Al Barsha centre will operate from Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, while the Umm Ramool centre will operate around the clock, 24 hours a day.

Centres at Tasjeel Al Qusais, Tasjeel Al Barsha, Tasjeel Al Warsan and Al Mutakamela Al Quoz will operate from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and from 8:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. On Friday, they will operate from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 4:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. Between 4:01 pm and 7:59 pm, only technical inspection services will be provided.

Service provider centres, vehicle technical inspection

At Tasjeel Jebel Ali, working hours from Monday to Thursday and Saturday will be from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Friday from 7:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Tasjeel Hatta will operate from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and Saturday, and from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon on Friday. Al Riyada will operate from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and Saturday, and from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon on Friday.

Between 4:01 pm and 7:59 pm, only technical inspection services will be available throughout the week.

Centres including Tasjeel Al Qusais, Tasjeel Al Barsha, Tasjeel Al Warsan, Al Mutakamela Al Quoz and Cars Al Mamzar will operate from Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and from 8:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. On Friday, they will operate from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 8:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. Between 4:01 pm and 7:59 pm, these centres will provide technical inspection services only, without vehicle registration services.

The same hours apply to Al Mutakamela Al Awir, Wasel Nad Al Hamar, Wasel Al Jaddaf, Wasel Arabian Center, Cars Al Mamzar, Cars Deira, Al Mumayaz Al Barsha, Al Mumayaz Al Mazhar, Tajdeed, Tasjeel Motor City, Tasjeel Arab City, Shamil Al Qusais, Shamil Al Adhed, Shamil Nad Al Hamar, Aber and Al Jawdah.

Tasjeel Al Awir, AutoPro Al Mankhool, Tasjeel Al Twar, Al Yalayis, Shamil Al Muhaisnah and Discovery Gardens will operate from Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and from 8:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. On Friday, they will operate from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 8:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. On Sunday, technical inspection services only will be available from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 8:00 pm to 12:00 midnight.

The Gulf is undergoing one of the most ambitious infrastructure investment cycles globally. But according to Campbell Gray, CEO of AtkinsRéalis Middle East, the real story is not scale — it is structural maturity.

Over the past five years, the region has shifted from delivering landmark projects to building integrated systems designed to support long-term economic transformation.

“In recent years, the region has shifted from delivering individual projects to building fully integrated systems and approaches that support long-term economic transformation,” Gray explains. “National visions now provide a clear sense of direction, aligning investment, delivery models, and expected outcomes.”

That shift is redefining everything from design briefs to procurement frameworks.

From projects to interconnected ecosystems

Giga projects across Saudi Arabia and the UAE are no longer conceived as standalone developments. They are designed as interconnected ecosystems, raising expectations for integration, governance and delivery discipline.

“Sustainability has become a standard requirement, and digital tools now sit at the centre of how risk, sequencing and performance are managed,” Gray says. “The key difference now though, is the necessity for clearly defined brief and basis of design leading to a development investment that provides a demonstrable and tangible return.”

This focus on measurable outcomes marks a departure from earlier phases of rapid growth. Governments and developers are placing greater emphasis on front-end clarity, lifecycle performance, and return on investment rather than simply project completion.

“The region’s accelerated localisation agenda is reshaping procurement and supply chains, creating clearer pathways for national participation,” he adds. “Collectively, these changes signal a more mature development environment; one increasingly focused on measurable results rather than activity alone.”

Saudi Arabia’s urban reset

Saudi Arabia’s giga projects are frequently discussed in terms of sheer scale, but Gray argues their real impact lies in how they are redefining city-making.

“These programmes reflect a deeper understanding that cities are dynamic systems that have evolved over decades. Planning now begins with how people will move, live, work, and interact with their environment, as well as how places will perform socially and environmentally over time.”

This systemic approach is influencing mixed-use design, mobility integration and long-term asset stewardship. Development companies are increasingly structured as long-term custodians rather than short-term delivery entities.

“Digital integration has become essential, enabling thousands of decisions and interfaces to be managed with clarity and consistency,” Gray notes. “Once operational, these cities rely on real time data to optimise energy use, transport and public services, creating urban environments that can adapt to changing needs and continue to generate value long after construction is complete.”

Industrialised construction methods, local manufacturing investment, and performance-driven commercial frameworks are also becoming standard features of delivery models.

Economic diversification across the Gulf is creating new asset classes, from cultural districts to innovation hubs. That, in turn, is reshaping demand for engineering and advisory services.

“Diversification is driving a clear shift toward integrated and multidisciplinary thinking,” Gray says. “Cultural districts, innovation hubs and creative clusters need planning, engineering, mobility, landscape, digital and ESG considerations to be shaped as a single coherent strategy rather than separate workstreams.”

He highlights the growing importance of upstream advisory work. “The difference now is the clear need for up front technical advisory expertise, to ensure the vision can be matched in delivery, ultimately around return on investment, quality, cost and of course programme.”

Saudi Arabia’s SAR81bn commitment to cultural infrastructure underscores this shift, with culture targeted to contribute around 3 per cent to GDP. Consultants are increasingly expected to stay engaged across the full asset lifecycle, connecting policy ambition with delivery discipline.

Sustainability in the Gulf is no longer a differentiator — it is a baseline expectation. But the definition has evolved.

“Sustainability is now viewed through the lens of long-term resilience,” Gray explains. “Clients want assets that reduce emissions, manage climate risks, and maintain strong performance over many decades.”

Whole-life carbon analysis, circularity, water efficiency and extreme heat adaptation are now embedded in project briefs from the outset. Nature-based solutions are gaining traction alongside engineered resilience measures.

“Importantly, performance is increasingly evaluated during operation, not just at handover,” he says. “This shift shows how deeply sustainability is now embedded in everyday decision making.”

Speed versus value

The Gulf remains known for pace. However, Gray believes the narrative has shifted from speed at any cost to speed with discipline.

“The region has moved beyond the mentality of building fast at any cost. The prevailing approach now is to build fast while safeguarding long-term value.”

Front-end planning, scenario modelling and closer contractor collaboration are becoming essential.

“A key part for us is a much closer working relationship with the contractor as well as the clients. Very much a joint problem-solving approach.”

Yet challenges remain. “Governments are increasingly assessing projects based on whole-life value rather than upfront cost or delivery timelines alone. This is however very immature, and whilst the rhetoric is improving, lowest cost still wins, and this rarely creates value for money.”

Digital assurance tools are playing a crucial role in managing complexity at scale, offering real-time risk visibility while maintaining quality and resilience.

Across the built environment, digital tools are reshaping decision-making.

“Digital technology is fundamentally reshaping how decisions are made and how assets are managed,” Gray says. “Digital twins and advanced modeling enable teams to test scenarios and understand impacts well before construction begins.”

AI-enabled delivery tools are enhancing predictability and productivity, while integrated data platforms allow urban systems — energy, mobility and public services — to be managed proactively.

“This shift from project-level decision-making to system-level planning is creating more resilient, efficient cities and enabling governments to allocate resources with far greater confidence.”

Global lessons, regional benchmarks

Gulf cities continue to draw on global best practices, particularly in transit-oriented development and low-carbon planning. However, the region is increasingly setting its own benchmarks through the pace and scale of implementation.

“The focus has shifted from iconic individual assets to integrated citywide strategies that connect land use, mobility, climate resilience, and quality of life,” Gray notes.

Major waterfront regeneration projects, heritage districts and large-scale public realm initiatives demonstrate how global expertise can be adapted to local ambition.

Looking ahead, Gray believes the next phase of growth will centre on systems that support diversified, knowledge-based economies.

“Green and resilient infrastructure will be essential as populations expand, and climate pressures intensify. Social infrastructure and mixed-use districts will play a central role in developing talent and strengthening quality of life.”

Mass transit will play a defining role. “With rapid population growth, mass transit and how we move around cities will significantly impact how we work, play and live in the future; and fundamental for regional developers. For the first time, commuter times will play a much bigger part in where and how we spend our time.”

Logistics, industrial and digital infrastructure will reinforce the Gulf’s role as a global trade and innovation hub. Meanwhile, experience-led cultural destinations are emerging as critical pillars of diversification.

Across all sectors, Gray sees a consistent theme emerging.

“Across all sectors, the focus will be on long-term performance, integration, and value creation rather than short-term delivery milestones.”

For the Gulf’s built environment, scale remains impressive. But maturity, not magnitude, is increasingly the defining characteristic of this infrastructure cycle.

Read: Saudi cabinet approves high-speed rail link with Qatar