Morocco’s journey toward a cashless economy is gaining momentum with a newly announced partnership between Attijari Payment, Visa, and Moroccan fintech Woliz. The collaboration, revealed in Casablanca on September 26, seeks to accelerate the digitalization of payments in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. By combining global expertise, local agility, and innovative payment tools, the three organizations aim to transform how Moroccan merchants conduct daily transactions.
A Strategic Alliance
The partnership brings together three complementary players with distinct strengths. Attijari Payment, a subsidiary of Attijariwafa bank, will integrate its innovative acceptance solutions into Woliz’s fintech platform to enhance merchant services. Visa contributes its global expertise in secure payment technologies and financial literacy programs, ensuring that Moroccan retailers can adopt digital solutions with confidence.
Building on Momentum
For Attijari Payment, this alliance builds on its rapid growth since the launch of its merchant acquisition activity in July. That milestone followed Bank Al-Maghrib’s approval in March, which positioned the company as a licensed payment institution capable of driving Morocco’s electronic payments infrastructure. With this new partnership, Attijari is signaling its intent to solidify its leadership in payment acceptance across sectors.
Supporting Merchant Needs
Attijari Payment CEO Fahd Bettache emphasized that the company’s mission is to make payment solutions simple, secure, and efficient for merchants navigating the digital shift. He highlighted that daily business operations should not be burdened by complex systems but instead facilitated by tools that enhance efficiency. For small and mid-sized retailers in particular, this initiative is expected to reduce barriers to adopting electronic payments.
Visa’s Global Role
Visa is leveraging its international experience to ensure Moroccan merchants benefit from best-in-class digital payment infrastructure. Sami Romdhane, Visa’s General Manager in Morocco, explained that the company’s role goes beyond technology, extending into financial education and trust-building in digital systems. By working closely with Attijari Payment and Woliz, Visa aims to increase access to reliable financial services for all, especially those traditionally excluded from the digital economy.
Woliz’s Local Innovation
As a fast-growing Moroccan fintech, Woliz is positioned at the intersection of local market insight and technological innovation. Founder and CEO Kamal El Hardouzi noted that merchants expect simple and rapid solutions tailored to their needs, not one-size-fits-all systems. Through this partnership, Woliz hopes to create an ecosystem uniting FMCG distributors, merchants, and financial institutions around a shared vision of sustainable financial inclusion.
Toward a Cashless Future
The Moroccan market presents vast opportunities for digital transformation, with a large base of small retailers still heavily reliant on cash transactions. The introduction of modern payment solutions across FMCG distribution channels could have a multiplier effect on efficiency, transparency, and financial inclusion. This partnership underscores Morocco’s ambition to position itself as a leader in digital payments in the region.
The collaboration between Attijari Payment, Visa, and Woliz marks a decisive step in Morocco’s digital payments journey. By combining the technological capabilities of a global leader, the experience of an established financial institution, and the innovation of a local fintech, the alliance is well-placed to reshape how merchants and consumers interact with financial services. If successful, it could accelerate Morocco’s transition to a cashless economy and unlock new growth opportunities across industries.