The global fashion industry is responsible for nearly 10% of the world’s carbon emissions, making it one of the most polluting sectors globally. At the same time, only 12–15% of discarded clothing is recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills, contributing to massive waste accumulation. The fashion industry's environmental footprint is profound in the Middle East, where over 70% of clothing is imported.
While the rise of ethical fashion and second-hand shopping presents an opportunity to combat the textile waste prominent in fast fashion, many consumers still lack accessible, trustworthy platforms to resell or purchase pre-owned clothing, particularly in the Middle East. This is where Dabchy is creating change.
Dabchy is a peer-to-peer online marketplace operating in Tunisia and Egypt, enabling individuals to buy and sell second-hand fashion within a vibrant community. Beyond a typical e-commerce platform, Dabchy integrates social features that allow users to follow sellers, engage through comments, post stories with direct shopping links, and like items from fellow “Dabchouchas” – a playful term coined by the company. With over 2 million listed items and more than 750,000 users, Dabchy offers women's, kids', and luxury fashion categories, with plans to further expand its offerings.
Launched in 2016 by co-founders Ameni Mansouri, a biomedical engineer by training, along with engineers Ghazi Ketata and Oussama Mahjoubi, Dabchy leverages technology to extend the lifecycle of clothing.
“I experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to give a second life to perfectly good items I no longer used,” Ameni recalls, reflecting on the inspiration behind founding Dabchi. “Our mission is to make second-hand the first choice in the region, creating a seamless, community-driven platform where people can easily buy and sell quality pre-owned items while embracing a more sustainable way of consuming.”
Initially launched in Tunisia and recently expanded to Egypt, the platform offers a user-friendly mobile app where individuals can list pre-owned clothing for sale, find great deals on gently used fashion, and connect with a community that values sustainability. Many of its users, primarily women, have even turned their activity on Dabchy into small businesses, prompting the platform to develop specialized tools that provide them with valuable business insights.
Dabchy’s founding team is from and based in Tunisia. They have leveraged their deep local understanding to craft messaging that genuinely resonates with consumers. Rather than solely emphasizing environmental sustainability, they’ve strategically prioritized the cost savings of second-hand fashion, introducing sustainability concepts in a way that aligns with purchasing motivations. This culturally-attuned approach has allowed them to successfully embed circular fashion principles in a market where affordability is often the primary driver.
On the operational side, they’ve overcome regional challenges by developing their own logistics infrastructure and forging partnerships to bridge gaps in payments and shipping. Their tailored strategy, combined with dedicated customer support, has been instrumental in building trust and loyalty among users.
The caliber of the founding team further strengthened our decision to invest. In a market where trust and cultural fluency are paramount, having founders who inherently understand the social fabric of Tunisia and the broader MENA region gives Dabchy a significant edge in user acquisition, retention, and long-term growth.
As part of its broader strategy to expand offerings while staying true to its community’s needs, Dabchy has introduced non-fashion categories such as sporting equipment, books, toys, and more. This shift wasn’t a sudden pivot but a natural evolution driven by user behavior; many were already listing these items before the categories were officially introduced. Recognizing this organic demand, Dabchy formalized and integrated them into the platform, ensuring they receive dedicated visibility and support. The rollout is already underway, with a focus on enhancing engagement so users can refresh not just their wardrobes but other aspects of their lives as well.
Village Capital is participating in a funding round led by Janngo Capital to support Dabchy’s continued growth. “This investment is a key step in our vision to become the leading second-hand marketplace in the region. It will help us strengthen our presence in Tunisia, ensure safer and more sustainable growth in Egypt, and explore new markets for expansion,” said Ameni. “As we continue to scale, we remain committed to making pre-loved fashion and lifestyle items accessible to more people, offering a seamless and trustworthy experience that empowers our community and drives circular consumption.”
Dabchy is transforming second-hand fashion in MENA by making it more accessible while promoting sustainability. We’re proud to support their growth and leadership in fashion sustainability across the region.