Dohzy: Credit, Banking, Integration — The Fintech Solution for the African Diaspora

In a world where financial education is often the key to successful integration, an innovative initiative is emerging. During our recent program, we welcomed Fidéis Dicam, entrepreneur and founder of the DOSZI platform, for an enriching discussion on the financial inclusion of Afro-Canadian and immigrant communities.

DOSZI, often described as a "Black bank" or a bank for the diaspora, is much more than just a financial platform. It is the result of a keen observation of the realities faced by immigrants: lack of credit history, misunderstanding of the Canadian banking system, and difficulties in accessing financing.

“DOSZI is a fully customized system for us,” explains Fidéis. “It’s not about a lack of money, but an urgent need for structures adapted to our cultural, educational, and financial context.”

DOSZI’s approach is based on a well-known African concept: the tontine (or djangi, sol, depending on the country). Fidéis and his team have digitized this traditional model, creating a hybrid system where regular participation in the tontine generates a DOSZI Score — a form of alternative credit.

This score, validated by Canadian authorities and integrated into the local banking system, allows users to build a credit history without going through traditional routes.

“We are modernizing what is familiar to us. The person just has to participate in the tontine like in Africa, and we take care of the rest: data collection, reporting to the credit bureau, creation of a credible profile.”

DOSZI also offers express loans ranging from $200 to $2,000 to address financial emergencies: pending rent, school fees, support for family back home. This service specifically targets those for whom traditional institutions are not accessible due to lack of standard guarantees.

“Sometimes, people don’t need $10,000, just enough to get through the month. Here, if you don’t have a file, no one listens to you. DOSZI fills that gap with flexible and accessible loans.”

Interest rates vary between 10% and 20%, depending on the amount and risk, but are designed not to be a burden. Users pay a one-time activation fee to open an account and then benefit from tailored services.

Despite the absence of physical guarantees like in Africa (land titles, assets), DOSZI relies on behavioral data analysis, system reputation, and sometimes a local guarantor for newcomers.

“The Canadian system works on traces: if you don’t have data, you don’t exist financially. DOSZI helps you leave those positive traces, through regular, even minimal, payments.”

This logic is backed by a fundamental pillar: financial education. Podcasts, content on social media, personalized support... DOSZI aims to build a generation of autonomous and informed newcomers.

Although Fidéis' ambition is international — Africa, United States — the entrepreneur remains realistic: “Finance involves a lot of regulations. We must first solidify the Canadian market before expanding.”

The team is also considering creating a non-profit arm to support users in severe hardship or who lack financial literacy.

“You have to understand that money isn’t everything. Here, reputation matters. Even a small loan of $200 repaid properly can open the door to a car loan, a mortgage, or a business project.”

DOSZI’s approach does not seek to reinvent finance but to make existing tools accessible to those too often overlooked. For all newly arrived individuals in Canada — students, families, workers — it is a gateway to successful economic integration.

DOSZI is a financial platform dedicated to empowering immigrant communities in Canada. It offers adapted credit services, solutions inspired by traditional tontines, and accessible financial education.