Egypt-based early-stage fintech investor DisrupTech Ventures announced its investment in Moroccan startup Chari, marking the fund’s first deployment in Morocco and its second investment outside Egypt.
Founded in 2020 by Ismaël Belkhayat and Sophia Alj, Chari is a Y Combinator-backed platform that enables informal retailers across Morocco to order fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) while accessing embedded financial services.
Chari recently secured a payment institution licence from the country’s central bank, allowing it to issue debit cards and IBANs and facilitate both domestic and international transfers, positioning it to serve as a fintech partner for neighbourhood shops.
As part of the deal, DisrupTech will join Chari’s board of directors, signalling a hands-on governance role as the startup scales into Francophone Africa.
While financial terms were not disclosed, the move comes shortly after Chari’s US $12 million Series A round led by SPE Capital and Orange Ventures, with participation from over a dozen global investors.
DisrupTech managing partner Mohamed Okasha said the investment aligns with the fund’s mission to support fintech models that “empower small shops to act as financial gateways” and build inclusive infrastructure at the grassroots level.
Chari reported over 20,000 merchants onboarded within its network, translating its B2B commerce base into a platform capable of embedding payments, working capital, and insurance into day-to-day retail workflows.
Analysts note the deal underscores growing cross-border momentum in North African fintech, with Egyptian investors extending reach into Morocco and beyond, while enabling startups like Chari to combine commerce and banking services via local licensing and retail-led access points.
The transaction is expected to accelerate Chari’s roadmap across the Maghreb and Francophone Africa, with DisrupTech’s regional fintech expertise contributing to its expansion and product scaling.
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