Rabat – Moroccan startup Voliz has won the Supernova Fintech and Blockchain award at the fourth edition of GITEX Africa Morocco 2026, which took place in Marrakesh from April 7 to 9.
Voliz is a digital ecosystem focused on improving commerce in local neighborhoods across Africa. The company connects small shops with brands, telecom operators, consumers and financial institutions on a single platform.
The Supernova Prize is one of the main startup competitions at the event, Voliz said in a statement. it recognizes Startup Which reflects strong innovation, ability to scale and real market impact.
Voliz focuses on improving “nanostores”, which are small neighborhood shops that are widely used across Africa. The continent is home to 12 million nanostores, including approximately 220,000 nanostores in Morocco. For many people, these shops are the main means of purchasing everyday goods.
However, most of the transactions in these stores are not recorded digitally. This means a lack of data for businesses, no credit history for shop owners and limited access to financial services.
Voliz says it aims to change this by creating a digital system that connects nanostores, brands, telecom operators, consumers and financial institutions into a single network. The platform includes payment tools, business management services, loyalty programs and financial services directly at the point of sale.
Kamal El Hardouzy, CEO and co-founder of Voliz, said, “Every day millions of transactions pass through nanostores without leaving any trace. We are building the infrastructure that makes these transactions visible, funds these businesses and makes this market investable.”
He said the goal is not to replace small shops but to strengthen them and integrate them into the digital economy.
The Supernova Challenge is considered the most important startup competition in Africa. The startup concluded that previous winners have raised significant funding and attracted the attention of international investors.
This year’s edition saw hundreds of startups from over 100 countries come together and build GITEX Africa One of the largest tech platforms on the continent.
