DisrupTech Ventures, a leading Egyptian venture capital firm focused on fintech innovation, has announced its investment in Morocco’s Chari. This marks DisrupTech’s first investment in Morocco and its second outside Egypt. It is reinforcing its strategy to expand financial inclusion across Africa through scalable fintech models.
Empowering Morocco’s Informal Retail Sector
Founded in 2020 by Ismael Belkhayat and Sophia Alj, Chari is a Y Combinator–backed fintech startup that transforms local corner shops into financial service hubs. The company operates a digital platform that allows small retailers to:
- Order fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) directly from distributors.
- Access embedded financial products, including micro-insurance and instant credit.
- Facilitate digital payments, transfers, and savings through their stores.
Chari recently secured a payment institution licence from the Central Bank of Morocco (Bank Al-Maghrib), granting it authority to issue IBANs, process payments, and offer debit cards. This milestone positions Chari as a vital link between financial institutions and unbanked communities.
A Bold Step for DisrupTech Ventures
DisrupTech Ventures’ Managing Partner Mohamed Okasha described the investment as a key milestone. “Chari is redefining how financial services reach people at the grassroots level. By turning small shops into financial access points, it is building the foundation for a new, inclusive fintech ecosystem in Morocco,” he said.
The fund’s decision reflects a broader mission to support African fintech startups solving deep-rooted challenges in financial access and liquidity. Chari’s success in digitising cash-heavy markets aligns perfectly with DisrupTech’s goal of enabling sustainable digital economies.
Scaling Financial Inclusion Through Technology
With more than 20,000 merchants already onboarded, Chari’s network is expanding rapidly. The startup’s model combines e-commerce and fintech, tackling two problems at once: supply chain inefficiency and lack of access to digital finance.
Chari’s approach creates tangible value for small retailers by:
- Providing fast, cashless ordering and delivery of goods.
- Offering short-term financing options tied to business performance.
- Encouraging digital adoption among low-income and underserved communities.
Co-founder and CEO Ismael Belkhayat emphasized that DisrupTech’s investment will accelerate Chari’s regional vision. “Together, we will continue to build technologies that drive inclusion and economic growth across Africa,” he said.
Building the Future of African Fintech
Chari’s latest investment follows its $12 million Series A round, led by SPE Capital and Orange Ventures, which drew participation from more than a dozen international investors. DisrupTech Ventures will also join Chari’s board of directors, collaborating on its regional growth strategy.
This partnership signals a new chapter for North African fintech, where local innovation meets strategic capital to unlock opportunities for millions. As Chari scales beyond Morocco into Francophone Africa, it stands poised to shape the future of digital finance for small businesses across the continent.