A startup called Hign Al Khaleej has launched an app and web platform to modernize the buying, selling, and auctioning of camels across the Gulf region.

The startup Hign Al Khaleej, founded by Jaber Al Ahbabi, launched a digital marketplace in late 2024 to facilitate the trade of camels in the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region. By 2025, the platform had surpassed 15,000 users. The app aims to streamline a traditionally complex and time-consuming process for buyers and sellers who previously relied on physical markets and long-distance travel to conduct business.

Modernizing a Traditional Market

Camels remain a significant cultural and economic asset in the region, with the emirate of Abu Dhabi alone home to approximately 500,000 animals. They are primarily used for milk production, racing, and beauty competitions, where winners can secure substantial cash prizes. The Al Dhafra Camel Festival, for instance, offers 97 million dirhams in prize money for beauty contests. Founder Jaber Al Ahbabi, who grew up in a family that raised racing camels, noted that the traditional trading system is inefficient. Sellers often transport animals long distances without a guaranteed sale, while buyers may travel internationally to inspect camels with limited prior information. The new platform seeks to address these challenges by centralizing the market.

Platform Features and Growth

The Hign Al Khaleej platform currently lists approximately 3,300 camels located across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. Listings include details on the animal's age, lineage, and health history. To ensure security, the app requires users to provide a phone number and a government-issued identification document. Since its launch, the platform has facilitated the sale of roughly 3,000 camels. Beyond livestock trading, the app allows users to purchase camel feed and medicine, as well as browse job listings for roles such as trainers and herders.