Woliz, a Moroccan retail-tech startup, has raised US$2.2 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate the development of its AI-powered, fintech-enabled platform aimed at transforming the traditional retail landscape. The round was led by Sanlam Maroc, the Moroccan subsidiary of the global financial services giant Sanlam Group.
Founded by Kamal El Hardouzi, Woliz is on a mission to digitize and structure neighborhood retail ecosystems, placing small merchants at the center of a unified network that connects commerce, finance, telecoms, institutions, and consumers. The platform seeks to empower independent shop owners with tools typically reserved for large retail chains, enabling them to compete effectively in an increasingly digital economy.
Through Woliz’s platform, merchants can:
- Order stock digitally from suppliers.
- Automatically track sales and verify income.
- Build a financial footprint, improving their eligibility for credit from financial institutions.
By integrating fintech capabilities, Woliz aims to bridge the gap between informal retail and formal financial systems, helping small businesses access working capital and grow sustainably.
The US$2.2 million pre-seed investment will be used to:
- Expand Woliz’s team.
- Accelerate product development.
- Scale merchant onboarding across multiple Moroccan cities.
The company also plans to extend its model to other African markets facing similar challenges in retail digitization and financial inclusion. “Morocco is the foundation. Africa is the natural extension,” Woliz stated, signaling its ambition to become a pan-African player in retail-tech innovation.
