Moroccan and French mobility startup Enakl has raised $1.4 million in a pre-seed funding round, led by Catalyst Fund, with participation from Renew Capital, Digital Africa, Station F, and 15 other angel investors. The funding will be used to enhance the company's technology and expand its bus-sharing services to other cities in Morocco and across Africa.

Founded in 2023 by Samir Bennani and Charles Pommarede, Enakl offers a pre-planned commuting service that allows users to book shared rides on mini-buses that follow fixed routes. The startup targets Morocco's urban cities, where commuters face overcrowded buses and inconsistent schedules. By providing a sustainable and efficient public transportation solution, Enakl aims to reduce the number of daily commuters dependent on the public bus rapid transit (BRT) system, leading to fewer vehicles on the road.

Casablanca, one of the busiest cities in Morocco, has a BRT system with average wait times of 15 minutes during peak hours. Enakl's pre-planning feature allows for timely pickup, addressing the need for commuters to move around quickly. According to Samir Bennani, Enakl's co-founder and CEO, "This funding allows us to deepen our impact in Casablanca, expand our reach, and accelerate the development of our technology."

The investment in Enakl is a strategic move by Catalyst Fund, which recognizes the startup's potential to transform urban transit in Africa with a scalable, green solution. Maxime Bayen, Operating Partner at Catalyst Fund, stated, "By reducing emissions and congestion through tech-driven, shared transport, Enakl addresses urbanization's challenges."

With Morocco's relatively small ride-sharing market valued at $4.15 million in 2024, Enakl has a significant opportunity to grow and capture market share. After operating for 14 months, the mobility startup claims to manage over 15,000 ride bookings monthly, with a growth rate of 20% per month. Enakl faces competition from ride-hailing companies like Careem and Heetch operating in Morocco, but its focus on providing a cost-effective, comfortable, and sustainable transportation solution sets it apart.

Adam Abate, Renew Capital CEO, expressed confidence in Enakl's solution, stating, "We recognize 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."

As Enakl expands its services across Africa, it is likely to have a significant impact on the continent's transportation landscape. With its innovative approach to public transportation, the startup is well-positioned to address the growing demand for sustainable and efficient mobility solutions in Africa's urban cities.