Woliz
Category: AI in Fintech
An AI-powered retail and fintech platform designed to digitize the fragmented 'nanostore' (neighborhood shop) market in Morocco by connecting merchants, brands, and financial institutions. Woliz was founded in 2025. The company is led by Kamal El Hardouzi. Based in Casablanca, Morocco. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $2.2M. Latest round: Pre-Seed. Key investors include Sanlam Maroc.
- Founded
- 2025
- Headquarters
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $2.2M
Value proposition
Modernizes the informal retail sector through digital inventory management, direct brand-to-retailer procurement, and integrated financial services to drive financial inclusion and operational efficiency.
Products and solutions
Merchant Digital Management App (Inventory & Sales tracking), B2B Marketplace (Direct brand-to-merchant ordering), Integrated Digital Payment Gateway, AI-driven Retail Analytics Dashboard for Brands, Financial Services Module (Credit and insurance access for retailers)
Unique value
Focuses specifically on the 'informal' traditional trade sector (nanostores) which represents a massive but fragmented portion of the North African economy, providing them with enterprise-grade AI tools previously reserved for large retailers.
Target customer
Small neighborhood retailers (nanostores), FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) brands, and financial service providers.
Industries served
Retail Technology (RetailTech), Fintech, FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), E-commerce
Technology advantage
Leverages a proprietary AI-driven ecosystem that bridges the gap between traditional trade and modern supply chains, backed by the CEO's deep domain expertise in Moroccan FMCG distribution networks.
How they differentiate
Woliz differentiates through an AI-driven ecosystem that integrates deep retail analytics with financial services like insurance and credit, leveraging its strategic partnership with Sanlam Maroc to serve the 'nanostore' segment.
Main competitors
Chari, MaxAB, Sabi
Key partnerships
Sanlam Maroc (Lead Investor and insurance partner), Visa (Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator; payments), Attijari Payment (Digital payment integration), Morocco Ministry of Industry and Trade (framework agreement: digitize ~20k nanostores / target 90k merchants), Google for Startups Accelerator MENA + Türkiye Class of 2026, FMCG.ma (Strategic industry alignment)
Notable customers
Traditional neighborhood retailers (nanostores), FMCG brands seeking market data
Major milestones
Closed $2.2 million pre-seed funding round led by Sanlam Maroc in January 2026, Selected for the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program, Launched AI-powered platform connecting merchants, brands, and financial institutions
Growth metrics
Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator (2025); Attijari Payment + Visa payments partnership; Ministry of Industry and Trade nanostore digitization framework; SUPERNOVA FinTech winner at GITEX Africa 2026; Fintech Morocco Summit 2026 first prize; Google for Startups Accelerator MENA-T 2026; active hiring (LinkedIn: finance, partnerships, fullstack).
Market positioning
Early-stage B2B RetailTech and Fintech challenger focused on digitizing the informal traditional trade sector.
Geographic focus
Morocco (Casablanca) with a focus on North African expansion.
Patents and IP
No registered patents disclosed as of latest update.
About Kamal El Hardouzi
Kamal El Hardouzi is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 13 years of experience in the FMCG and retail sectors. Prior to Woliz, he founded FMCG.ma (FMCGapps.com), a technology platform dedicated to the fast-moving consumer goods industry. He is recognized for his expertise in digitizing traditional trade and has held various leadership roles in business development across Morocco.
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Official website: https://www.woliz.com/