As regional commercial centre, it is known for products such as gum arabic, millet, oilseeds, and livestock.

[5] Due to the repair and paving of asphalt roads and the emergence of several private bus companies, transport became easier between the town and the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

Tensions remain high at the grand market[7] El-Obeid has a hot semi-desert climate (Köppen: BSh), bordering upon a hot desert climate (BWh), despite receiving over 400 millimetres or 16 inches of rain, owing to the extremely high potential evapotranspiration.

[8] As of 2015, the Sudanese Premier League team Al-Hilal SC (Al-Ubayyid), led by Boushra Adam, plays in El-Obeid.

[10] The Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of Africa in El-Obeid is considered to be one of the largest and oldest churches in Sudan.