Algerian travel-tech startup VOLZ has raised $5 million in a landmark Series A funding round, marking the largest startup investment denominated in local currency in Algeria and a defining moment for the country’s emerging venture ecosystem.
Speaking about the development “This fundraising allows us to accelerate our mission to make travel simpler and more accessible,” said VOLZ CEO Mohamed Abdelhadi Mezi. “It positions us to become the first Algerian unicorn in this field in Africa.”
The funding round, equivalent to nearly 600 million Algerian dinars, was backed by a consortium of private investors led by Tell Group, with participation from Groupe GIBA – Babahoum Industrial Group. The deal was announced during the African Startup Conference in Algiers, underscoring growing regional confidence in Algeria’s tech sector.
Beyond its size, the round is being closely watched for its broader implications. It represents the first successful exit for the Algerian Startup Fund (ASF), the country’s public venture capital vehicle, with returns exceeding three times its initial investment. Ecosystem stakeholders say the exit could help catalyse more institutional and private capital into local startups.
Founded in 2023 by Mohamed Abdelhadi Mezi and Hacene Seghier, VOLZ operates in a market where international travel booking has long been fragmented and constrained by currency regulations. The platform allows Algerian travellers to search and book international flights while paying in Algerian dinars, offering flexible payment options including online payment and cash-on-delivery.
By aggregating fares across multiple airlines and simplifying the booking process, VOLZ has positioned itself as a digital alternative to traditional offline travel agencies, which continue to dominate the local market. The startup has focused on removing friction for both leisure and business travellers navigating cross-border travel from Algeria.
With the new capital, VOLZ plans to accelerate product development, expand its service offering for corporate travel, and scale beyond Algeria into North and West Africa. The company is also strengthening partnerships with international airlines as it looks to serve a broader regional customer base.
Industry observers view the funding as a signal that Algeria’s startup ecosystem is entering a more mature phase, where scalable business models and clear market demand are beginning to attract larger cheques. For travel-tech in particular, VOLZ’s raise highlights how locally tailored solutions can unlock growth in markets shaped by regulatory and payment constraints.
