DisrupTech Ventures, an early-stage fintech venture capital fund, has invested in Chari, a Y Combinator–backed startup transforming Morocco’s retail sector into a nationwide fintech network.

This marks DisrupTech’s first investment in Morocco and its second in Africa outside Egypt, reflecting its broader commitment to fintech development across the continent.

Founded in 2020 by Ismael Belkhayat and Sophia Alj, Chari operates a licensed fintech platform that enables thousands of neighbourhood shops to provide digital payments and financial services.

With a payment institution licence from the Central Bank of Morocco, the company allows merchants to act as financial access points within their communities.

Chari’s platform also facilitates the ordering of consumer goods from FMCG distributors with rapid delivery, but its main focus is the digitisation of financial flows in the informal economy.

The company aims to reduce reliance on cash, offer instant working capital, and integrate insurance and payment solutions into daily retail operations.

“Our investment in Chari is a milestone for DisrupTech,”

said Mohamed Okasha, Managing Partner at DisrupTech Ventures.

“Chari is redefining how financial services are delivered at the grassroots level. By empowering small shops to act as financial gateways, Chari is creating the foundation for a new, inclusive fintech infrastructure in Morocco.”

With more than 20,000 retailers onboarded, Chari continues to expand across Francophone Africa.

“We are pleased to welcome DisrupTech Ventures as a partner,”

said Ismael Belkhayat, CEO and Co-Founder of Chari.

“With their support, we aim to accelerate our mission to turn every corner shop into a financial access point and strengthen financial inclusion across Africa.”

The investment is part of Chari’s Series A extension round.

As part of the deal, DisrupTech Ventures will join Chari’s board of directors to support the company’s regional expansion and fintech strategy.

Featured image credit: Chari