Guichet.com, Morocco’s leading digital ticketing platform, is entering a new phase as CDG Invest, the investment arm of Morocco’s Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG) Group, exits its stake in the company. The move marks a strategic ownership shift as the platform continues to gain traction in Morocco’s expanding digital economy and pursues ambitions for regional growth.
Guichet.com was founded in 2019 by Ahmed Tawfik Moulnakhla with the goal of modernizing Morocco’s ticketing sector through a comprehensive online platform. Since then, it has become the go-to solution for digital ticketing, covering events across sports, entertainment, and cultural festivals. Among its high-profile partners are notable Moroccan events, such as the Festival Mawazine, Festival de Marrakech du Rire, and the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music. The platform’s advanced features allow for real-time ticket monitoring and seamless digital management, addressing critical market needs for event organizers and consumers alike.
In 2022, Guichet.com received a 3 million dirham ($300,000) equity investment through the 212 Founders program, a CDG Invest initiative aimed at nurturing Moroccan startups with potential for international growth. This funding provided crucial support for Guichet.com’s expansion efforts, particularly as Morocco began to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, which had severely impacted live events. The 212 Founders program has become a cornerstone for Morocco’s startup ecosystem, with a portfolio of 11 Seed and Series A deals totaling 54 million dirhams since its inception in 2019.
However, as CDG Invest steps back, a new major stakeholder has taken its place. The acquisition involves El Mahdi El Majidi, an influential figure in Morocco’s technology and telecommunications sectors, and the brother of the royal secretary. Known for his investments in telecoms and artificial intelligence, El Majidi’s entry signals potential new directions for Guichet.com. The investment comes alongside plans to convert Guichet.com into a public limited company, with an accompanying capital increase designed to fuel its growth initiatives.
El Majidi’s investment is expected to support Guichet.com’s ambitions of solidifying its market position within Morocco and exploring further opportunities across Africa. The capital injection will enable Guichet.com to broaden its service offerings, particularly in the realm of sports and large-scale events, while bolstering its technology infrastructure to handle increased traffic and higher-profile collaborations.
In a recent statement, founder and CEO Ahmed Tawfik Moulnakhla expressed confidence in the new partnership’s potential to enhance Guichet.com’s standing both locally and abroad. “This transition marks an important milestone for Guichet.com. With the backing of an experienced investor, we are positioned to pursue our vision of becoming a pan-African leader in digital ticketing,” he said.
Youssef Mamou, Director of the 212 Founders program, lauded Guichet.com’s progress under the CDG Invest partnership, emphasizing the company’s resilience and innovative spirit in the face of recent challenges. “Guichet.com has not only shown remarkable tenacity but also demonstrated a strong capacity for adaptation and innovation. It’s gratifying to see this Moroccan startup take on a greater role within the region,” Mamou remarked.
The Moroccan ticketing market holds significant untapped potential, and Guichet.com’s leadership transition reflects growing investor interest in digital solutions tailored to the African continent. With continued support and a forward-looking strategy, Guichet.com aims to bring its services to new audiences across Africa, capitalizing on rising demand for accessible, tech-driven event solutions in an increasingly connected market.