Moroccan-French mobility startup Enakl has successfully raised $1.4 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Catalyst Fund, with contributions from Renew Capital, Digital Africa, Station F, and a network of 15 angel investors. This fresh capital will enable the company to refine its technology and expand operations within Morocco and across other African cities.
Transforming The State of Urban Transit
Founded in 2023 by Samir Bennani and Charles Pommarede, Enakl has developed a bus-sharing service designed to tackle challenges in Morocco’s urban transit system. The company allows users to book rides on minibuses that follow fixed, pre-planned routes, ensuring consistent and timely transport. This service is a much-needed solution for cities like Casablanca, where overcrowded buses and unpredictable schedules plague commuters.
The company’s approach not only promises greater efficiency but also aims to reduce the environmental impact of urban transportation. By encouraging shared rides, Enakl helps limit the number of vehicles on the road, easing congestion and cutting emissions.
“This funding allows us to deepen our impact in Casablanca, expand our reach, and accelerate the development of our technology,“ said Bennani, Enakl’s co-founder and CEO.
A Growing Market with Big Opportunities
Morocco’s ride-sharing market is relatively small, valued at $4.15 million in 2024. However, Enakl is capitalising on this emerging sector, already facilitating over 15,000 monthly bookings and experiencing a 20% growth rate.
Enakl’s primary competitor is the public bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which struggles to meet the needs of a rapidly urbanising population. With average wait times of 15 minutes during peak hours in Casablanca, commuters are turning to alternatives like Enakl for more reliable and comfortable options.
“We invested in Enakl because they’re transforming urban transit in Africa with a scalable, green solution,” said Maxime Bayen, Operating Partner at Catalyst Fund. “By reducing emissions and congestion through tech-driven, shared transport, Enakl addresses urbanisation’s challenges.”
While ride-hailing services like Careem and Heetch dominate the private transport sector in Morocco, Enakl offers a more cost-effective alternative without compromising on comfort. Its collective transportation model appeals to budget-conscious commuters seeking convenience and reliability.
Adam Abate, CEO of Renew Capital, highlighted the broader significance of Enakl’s mission: “We recognise the problem Enakl is trying to solve in many of the cities we work in across Africa, and feel strongly that the collective transportation solutions developed by Enakl are key to solving these challenges.”
With plans to scale beyond Morocco, Enakl is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping urban mobility across Africa. By leveraging innovative technology and sustainable practices, the startup is setting a new standard for public transport while addressing the pressing challenges of urbanization
