Tuzzo, an Ivorian social commerce platform founded in 2023 by Ali Ouattara and Fabrice Tra, has successfully raised €750,000 ($831K) in pre-seed funding to further its mission of empowering women and young entrepreneurs across francophone Africa. The funding round includes a €250,000 cash investment from Ring Capital and €500,000 in kind from Mstudio, a significant show of confidence in the company’s vision to transform the way people engage in online business.
Tuzzo’s business model is designed to lower the barriers to entrepreneurship, particularly for individuals with limited resources. The platform allows users to sell products without any initial financial outlay. With just a few clicks, users can select items, set their own profit margins, and share products directly on social media platforms. Tuzzo handles the logistics — from order fulfillment to delivery and commission payments — enabling sellers to focus on scaling their businesses.
The startup’s founders, Ali Ouattara and Fabrice Tra, have positioned Tuzzo as a game-changer for social commerce in Africa, catering to a growing base of users who are seeking new economic opportunities in the digital space. “Our goal is to make entrepreneurship accessible to anyone, regardless of their background or financial situation,” said Ouattara. “By providing the tools, logistics, and a robust platform, we empower people to transform social interactions into income-generating opportunities.”
The pre-seed funding is expected to fuel Tuzzo’s growth in several ways. The cash from Ring Capital will be directed toward platform expansion, marketing, and user acquisition, while Mstudio’s in-kind contribution will help bolster the company’s tech infrastructure and operational capabilities. With this infusion of capital, Tuzzo is well-positioned to scale its reach, providing thousands of new online entrepreneurs with a platform to launch their own businesses.
As online shopping continues to rise in Africa, Tuzzo’s model represents a shift toward a more inclusive digital economy, where underserved populations can thrive as business owners without the traditional hurdles. By removing the need for upfront capital, Tuzzo is helping women and young people access entrepreneurial opportunities in a way that was previously unattainable.
Looking ahead, Ouattara and Tra envision expanding Tuzzo’s footprint across francophone Africa, with plans to onboard tens of thousands of users in the next few years.
The company’s growth ambitions align with broader trends in Africa’s digital economy, where social commerce is becoming a key player in economic inclusion and development. For Tuzzo, the focus remains clear: leveraging the power of technology to democratize entrepreneurship and open doors for a new generation of business leaders.