In a significant achievement for the Moroccan tech scene, the startup Woliz has emerged victorious at the fourth edition of GITEX Africa Morocco 2026, held in Marrakech from April 7 to 9. The company, known for its digital ecosystem aimed at enhancing commerce in African neighborhoods, was honored with the SUPERNOVA FinTech & Blockchain prize. This accolade, a highlight of the event’s startup competitions, acknowledges innovation, scalability, and market impact.
Woliz’s platform serves as a bridge between small neighborhood shops, brands, telecom operators, consumers, and financial institutions. It focuses on “nanostores, “the numerous small shops prevalent across Africa, including approximately 220,000 in Morocco. These stores, vital for daily goods purchases, have historically lacked digital transaction records, credit histories for shop owners, and access to financial services.
Kamal El Hardouzi, CEO and co — founder of Woliz, emphasized the company’s mission: “Millions of transactions pass through nanostores every day without leaving a trace. We are building the infrastructure that makes these transactions visible, these businesses financeable, and this market investable.”The platform offers payment tools, business management services, loyalty programs, and financial services at the point of sale, aiming to integrate nanostores into the digital economy without replacing them.
The SUPERNOVA Challenge, a key competition in Africa, has a history of propelling winners to significant funding and international investor attention. Woliz’s win this year was shared among hundreds of startups from over 100 countries, solidifying GITEX Africa’s status as a leading tech hub on the continent.
Source: moroccoworldnews
Original author: MWN Staff
