Morocco is accelerating the digitalization of its retail sector. During the National Trade Forum in Marrakech, Al Barid Bank, Barid Cash, the startup Chari, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade signed a strategic partnership to equip 100,000 small neighborhood shops with electronic payment terminals.
The initiative targets 'commerçants de proximité'—small grocery stores and convenience shops that form the backbone of local commerce. By providing these shops with point-of-sale (POS) terminals, the partners aim to reduce cash dependency and improve financial inclusion.
Al Barid Bank and its subsidiary Barid Cash will deploy the terminals and manage the payment infrastructure. Chari, a Moroccan B2B e-commerce platform that supplies these shops, will facilitate the rollout and training. The Ministry of Industry and Trade supports the project as part of its broader digital transformation strategy.
As of early 2026, Morocco had already equipped tens of thousands of shops, with the goal of reaching 100,000 by the end of the year. The partnership builds on previous efforts to modernize the retail sector and promote cashless transactions.
