Ismael Belkhayat: The Visionary Entrepreneur Powering Morocco’s E-Commerce Revolution

Meet Ismael Belkhayat, the Moroccan serial entrepreneur reshaping Africa’s digital landscape with Chari, a groundbreaking B2B platform that streamlines supply chains and empowers small retailers with fintech solutions across French-speaking Africa.

Ismael Belkhayat, born on November 20, 1983, in Rabat, Morocco, is a distinguished entrepreneur who has significantly influenced the Moroccan tech ecosystem through a series of successful ventures.

Educational Background and Early Career

Belkhayat's academic journey includes a degree from ESCP Europe, a master's in law from Panthéon Assas University, and an MBA from Cornell University. He began his professional career in 2009 at the Paris office of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he served as a junior analyst and later as a senior consultant.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In 2013, Belkhayat returned to Morocco to launch Wib.co, the country's first web incubator, aiming to foster innovation and support startups in the digital space.

The same year, he co-founded VotreChauffeur.ma, a leading ground transportation service in Morocco, which was later acquired by Avis Car Rental.

In 2014, he founded Sarouty.ma, an intuitive real estate marketplace facilitating property transactions across Morocco. Within a remarkably short span of two years, Sarouty became the nation's premier real estate platform, forging a strategic alliance with Propertyfinder Dubai LLC to bolster its technological capabilities.

Chari: Revolutionizing B2B E-commerce and Fintech

In 2020, alongside his wife, Sophia Alj, Belkhayat co-founded Chari, a B2B e-commerce and fintech application tailored for retailers in French-speaking Africa. Chari serves as a "one-stop shop" that empowers local retailers by enabling them to procure inventory for their stores, receive free deliveries, and benefit from payment facilities.

Under Belkhayat's leadership, Chari has experienced unprecedented growth, attracting substantial investments from renowned entities, including Y Combinator, Airbnb, and Orange. The platform's transformative impact has been recognized by Harvard University, which developed a business case study on Chari, underscoring its industry significance.

Accolades and Industry Recognition

Chari's innovative approach earned it the "Disruptor of the Year" award at the Africa CEO Forum in 2022, highlighting its role in revolutionizing the e-commerce sector in Africa.

Personal Interests and Philosophy

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Belkhayat is passionate about extreme sports, including skydiving and piloting, which he shares with his co-founder and wife, Sophia Alj. He believes in rapid growth and overwhelming competition within the first two years of business, a mantra that has guided his ventures to success.

Conclusion

Ismael Belkhayat's journey from a strategy consultant to a serial entrepreneur reflects his commitment to leveraging technology to address market inefficiencies and empower local businesses in Africa. His ventures have not only transformed traditional sectors but have also positioned him as a leading figure in the African startup ecosystem.

For a deeper insight into Ismael Belkhayat's vision and the impact of Chari, you might find the following interview enlightening: