Chari

Chari identified a critical inefficiency plaguing traditional proximity stores across French-speaking Africa: retailers faced fragmented, unreliable supply chains with no direct access to wholesale distributors. ​​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌Small shop owners spent hours traveling between multiple suppliers, paying inflated prices, and struggling with inconsistent inventory. This problem hit hardest in countries like Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where informal retail networks dominated but lacked modern logistics infrastructure. The challenge was measurable—retailers lost significant revenue to stockouts and wasted time on procurement—yet alternatives remained primitive, relying on manual relationships with wholesalers or expensive middlemen. Early validation came through direct observation: shop owners immediately adopted Chari's platform when offered same-day delivery and competitive pricing, with retention rates climbing as retailers recognized margin improvements. The addition of microfinance services further validated the approach, as retailers gained working capital to increase orders, creating a virtuous cycle that proved the core insight: proximity stores needed integrated commerce and financial solutions, not just logistics.