Yassir acquires Uno grocery chain in Algeria

ALGERIA – Algeria-based digital services company Yassir has acquired the Uno grocery chain from conglomerate Cevital, with the financial terms of the deal undisclosed.

The acquisition allows Yassir to operate physical stores and manage its supply chain directly, expanding beyond its app-based services.

Founded in 2017 by CEO Noureddine Tayebi, Yassir offers ride-hailing, delivery, and financial services across North Africa and reportedly raised US$105 million in an internal Series C round last year.

Some sources indicate Yassir’s valuation has surpassed US$1 billion, placing it among the region’s unicorn startups.

Uno was established in 2007 and currently runs 23 outlets in Algeria, including five hypermarkets, one supermarket, sixteen motorway-adjacent stores, and a single convenience shop.

The chain owns property in Bouira and Aïn Defla while leasing locations in high-traffic areas of Algiers and Sétif.

Yassir intends to rename the stores “Yassir Market,” introduce self-service kiosks, and create designated zones for online order collections.

Checkout counters will emphasise Yassir Cash as a preferred payment method, integrating the company’s financial services into its retail operations.

The first store under the Yassir Market brand is expected to open in Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, before the end of Ramadan 2026.

Operating physical stores will allow Yassir to control inventory and establish a tangible presence to build consumer confidence.

Algeria’s formal supermarket sector is relatively limited, with low profit margins and ongoing challenges in importing goods, which complicate Yassir’s expansion.

The company lacks prior experience running a retail chain at this scale, making the move an ambitious step beyond its core digital business.

Yassir enters the market at a moment when Pan-African e-commerce player Jumia exited Algeria in February 2026, leaving a void in online grocery services.

Uno’s existing market leadership, combined with Yassir’s digital infrastructure, positions it to compete with chains like Carrefour and Ardis.

Despite competitors maintaining websites or third-party delivery partnerships, online grocery sales in Algeria remain underdeveloped due to logistical issues and reliance on cash-on-delivery payments.

Yassir has previously expanded through acquisitions, buying Tunisia-based food delivery startup KooL in June 2024 and co-financing the takeover of Flink France in September 2023 to prevent its liquidation.

The company also raised its international profile through a three-season global partnership with Paris Saint-Germain football club starting in June 2023.

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