CEO of Bazaar, Discusses Platform Ownership and Future Plans in an Interview with Digiato

Manouchehr Sadri, the CEO of Bazaar, addressed the acquisition of the platform by Pegah Holding (Tapsell) in an interview with Digiato. He emphasized that there is no conflict of interest between Tapsell's advertising operations and Bazaar's commitment to impartiality. Sadri also unveiled plans to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance user experience on the platform.

Ownership Details and Operational Independence

The transfer of Bazaar’s ownership from Hezardastan Group to Pegah Holding in February 2025 marked a significant milestone for Iran’s tech ecosystem. Addressing initial concerns over potential conflicts between Tapsell’s app advertising business and Bazaar’s neutrality, Sadri stated: "These concerns were valid but unfounded in practice. Pegah Holding operates with a model where each business maintains its independence, ensuring no preferential treatment for apps owned by the holding."

Key Metrics and User Engagement

Sadri shared impressive statistics about Bazaar’s performance: "We have up to 50 million monthly active users accessing the Bazaar app, representing 80% of Android users in Iran. Daily active users range between 5 and 10 million." He further noted that nearly 30,000 developers are actively contributing to the platform.

Impact of Sanctions and Competition with Google Play

Responding to claims that Bazaar's growth stems from international sanctions, Sadri remarked: "This assertion is both true and false. While restrictions created opportunities, lifting sanctions would undoubtedly benefit us more. We have consistently advocated for the removal of limitations." He added that after Google Play was unblocked in Iran, there was no significant change in the number of users relying on Bazaar.

Future Plans and AI Integration

Sadri announced ambitious plans for integrating artificial intelligence into Bazaar: "AI is now a cornerstone of our strategy. The goal is to optimize internal processes and deliver new value to our users. Within one or two months, we expect to launch our first AI-driven products on the platform."

Challenges for Developers and Decline in App Creation

Sadri expressed concern over a more than 50% drop in the release of Iranian mobile games over the past two years, citing economic conditions, developer migration, and reduced availability of experienced human capital as primary reasons. He reiterated that Bazaar aims to reinvigorate this sector as its largest player.

Removal of 110,000 Inactive Apps

Regarding the removal of 110,000 inactive apps from Bazaar, Sadri explained: "This was a product decision. Apps that haven’t been updated for a long time or whose developers are unreachable pose risks to user security and privacy. Our goal with this cleanup was to improve user experience and bolster security—a move that received overwhelmingly positive feedback."

Bazaar’s Vision Moving Forward

Concluding his remarks, Sadri outlined three core pillars for Bazaar's future: focusing on artificial intelligence, enhancing user experience, and introducing new services. "Our ultimate aim is to ensure that even without external restrictions, users will choose Bazaar because it offers superior value while contributing meaningfully to Iran’s tech community," he said.