Saudi Arabia-based digital freight network TruKKer has received a $15 million private credit investment from Ruya Partners, facilitated through Ruya’s flagship Ruya Private Capital I fund. This marks the sixth investment from the fund, which is now 90% deployed. The capital injection aims to support TruKKer’s continued regional expansion and technology enhancements.
Founded in 2016, TruKKer operates a technology-driven freight marketplace across nine countries, connecting over 60,000 transporters with more than 1,200 enterprise clients. Its platform provides dispatching, scheduling, and capacity optimization services. In 2022, TruKKer raised $100 million in a pre-IPO funding round led by Bahraini investment firm Investcorp.
Digital Transformation Tackles Middle East’s Logistics Lag
TruKKer’s AI-enabled platform addresses the Middle East’s historically slow adoption of digital technologies in logistics. The GCC transport sector experienced a 5% decline in freight revenues between 2014 and 2016 due to low oil prices and reduced imports. Industry analysts estimate that digital technologies could reduce operating costs by 10-30% and operational risks by up to 75% for regional logistics companies, delivering strong competitive advantages.
By connecting thousands of transporters and enterprises, TruKKer combats the fragmentation of the Middle East logistics market, which has long relied on analog processes despite the clear benefits of digitization. This approach aligns with regional transformation agendas as governments seek technology solutions to boost logistics efficiency and reduce oil revenue dependence.
Saudi Arabia’s Logistics Transformation Creates Fertile Market for Freight-Tech
TruKKer’s growth coincides with Saudi Arabia’s massive investment in logistics infrastructure, committing over $106.6 billion to this sector as part of its economic diversification strategy. Logistics hubs have increased 267% since 2021, now totaling 22 centers covering more than 34 million square meters.
High warehouse occupancy rates—around 97% in Riyadh and Jeddah—highlight strong demand for logistics services, creating favorable market conditions for freight-tech solutions. Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy plans $147 billion in investments, aiming to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub and creating ample opportunities for technology platforms that optimize freight operations.
Regional Economic Integration Fuels Demand for Cross-Border Logistics
Operating across nine countries, TruKKer leverages growing GCC economic integration, especially the robust UAE-Saudi trade corridor. Bilateral trade reached AED 137.51 billion in 2022, a 28% increase since 2018, with UAE exports to Saudi Arabia valued at $22.3 billion in 2021.
This trade volume drives demand for efficient cross-border logistics services capable of handling specialized cargo such as gold, broadcasting equipment, computers, refined petroleum, and ethylene polymers. The planned GCC Railway Network, spanning roughly 5,000 miles from Kuwait to Oman, underscores the region’s commitment to integrated logistics infrastructure.
Digital freight platforms like TruKKer, which provide real-time visibility and navigate complex multi-country regulations, are essential to supporting businesses in this increasingly connected regional market.
