Neighborhood retail sits at the heart of Morocco’s economy. Yet many local shops still rely on manual processes. Woliz wants to change that. The Moroccan startup has raised $2.2 million in a pre seed funding round to digitize local commerce. Sanlam Maroc led the round. This marks the insurer’s first direct investment in a startup through a long term private equity approach.A Strategic Bet on Local CommerceWoliz’s Vision for a Connected Retail NetworkTechnology Built for Real World RetailUsing Capital to Scale FastLooking Beyond Morocco The funding will accelerate product development and expand deployment across Morocco. It also sets the stage for future growth across Africa. A Strategic Bet on Local Commerce Sanlam Maroc sees local retail as a high impact sector. The company views digitization as a tool for inclusion and resilience. This partnership focuses on: Modernizing neighborhood shops Improving access to financial tools Supporting informal merchants Strengthening local innovation Yahia Chraibi, CEO of Sanlam Maroc, described the investment as a concrete step. He emphasized support for Moroccan technology that improves daily business operations. The goal is clear. Help small merchants compete in a fast changing market. Woliz’s Vision for a Connected Retail Network Woliz targets one of the densest economic networks in the country. It also targets one of the least digitized. Founder and CEO Kamal El Hardouzi sees a clear gap. Local shops operate in isolation. Data stays fragmented. Growth stays limited. Woliz aims to build a unified system that places the merchant at the center. The platform connects all key players. The ecosystem includes: Neighborhood merchants Industrial suppliers Distributors and wholesalers Financial institutions This model creates shared value. Each participant gains better visibility and efficiency. Technology Built for Real World Retail Woliz designs its platform for daily use. The focus stays on simplicity and speed. Core technology features include: Artificial intelligence for demand insights Process automation for ordering and tracking Data analytics for smarter decisions The platform reduces manual work. It improves stock planning. It supports better cash flow. Merchants gain tools that once belonged only to large retailers. Using Capital to Scale Fast The $2.2 million funding will support Woliz’s next growth phase. The company plans to strengthen both its technology and its team. Key priorities include: Expanding on ground merchant adoption Improving platform reliability and scale Building operational capacity Supporting partner integrations Woliz will invest heavily in deployment. The company wants to meet merchants where they work. Adoption remains a core focus. Looking Beyond Morocco Morocco serves as the foundation. Africa remains the ambition. Woliz views local success as a blueprint. The company plans to: Validate the model at national scale Adapt the platform for regional markets Expand into selected African countries Neighborhood retail exists everywhere. The challenges look similar. Woliz aims to build infrastructure that travels well. This funding round marks a key milestone. Woliz now has capital, a strong partner, and a clear mission. Digitizing local retail is no longer optional. Woliz wants to lead that shift.