The Empower Africa Business Platform is Now Live !!!
Pan-African fintech startup Zazu has entered a new phase of its expansion with the launch of a fully digital business banking solution in Morocco, developed in partnership with global payments company Visa.
The new product allows entrepreneurs and small businesses to open and manage business accounts entirely online, marking a shift from traditional banking processes in Morocco that often require weeks to complete.
With Zazu’s platform, businesses can set up an account in about 10 minutes, removing the need for lengthy paperwork and in-person visits.
Zazu was founded by Germain Bahri and Rinse Jacobs, both former Solarisbank executives, and is positioning itself as a digital-first banking alternative tailored to the needs of African entrepreneurs.
The company is building what it describes as a modern financial operating system for small businesses, combining accounts, payments, and financial management tools into a single interface.
The collaboration with Visa strengthens this offering by integrating global payment capabilities into Zazu’s platform.
It also enables the rollout of Visa Business cards for Moroccan SMEs, allowing companies to manage team spending more efficiently and track transactions in real time.
The launch comes just months after Zazu secured US$1 million in pre-seed funding to support its early growth and expansion into markets such as Morocco and South Africa.
The funding is part of a broader strategy to scale across the continent and address long-standing gaps in SME banking.
Speaking on the launch, Bahri highlighted the inefficiencies entrepreneurs often face when dealing with traditional banks, noting that many spend significant time navigating complicated systems or resolving unexpected charges.
Zazu’s operations in Morocco are also supported by a partnership with local fintech player Chari, which provides access to key infrastructure, including a payment license and local market expertise.
This collaboration ensures the platform is aligned with regulatory requirements while benefiting from on-the-ground knowledge of the Moroccan market.
Chari founder Ismael Belkhayat described the partnership as part of a broader shift in financial services across the continent, where digital-first solutions are beginning to replace legacy systems and improve access for entrepreneurs.
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