DisrupTech backs Chari to transform Morocco’s retail

DisrupTech Ventures has invested in Chari, a Moroccan startup converting neighborhood stores into digital finance access points across the country. The deal represents the venture fund’s debut investment in Morocco and its second commitment to an African market beyond Egypt.

Ismael Belkhayat and Sophia Alj launched Chari in 2020 after graduating from Y Combinator. The company holds a payment institution license issued by Morocco’s central bank, allowing it to transform retail merchants into community banking hubs. Chari operates a mobile platform where shop owners can order fast-moving consumer goods for quick delivery while simultaneously offering customers digital payment options and credit. The startup has enrolled more than 20,000 retailers and aims to expand throughout French-speaking Africa. Its services target the informal economy by moving transactions away from cash, supplying immediate working capital, and integrating insurance products into merchant operations.

Mohamed Okasha, managing partner at DisrupTech Ventures, said the firm backs models that expand grassroots access to finance. The investment completes a Series A extension round for Chari, and DisrupTech will take a board seat to help guide the company’s regional expansion strategy.