In 2019, the idea of creating an application that would enable economic institutions to manage their products intelligently was born. These words, spoken by Abdelmounaim Ben Horia, the director of the “Breniac” foundation, mark the beginning of their project. They also reflect the turning point that Algeria experienced at that time, along with subsequent decisions and events that significantly impacted the national economy and the active engagement of youth in the country’s comprehensive development.
Abdelmounaim answers the question of where they stand today, saying, “We started with just four people when we began working on the application, and today we have over 200 companies using the Fatura app. Our ambitions are even greater for realizing other projects.”
The President’s Vision and Clear Commitments
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s commitments to the Algerian people four years ago included support for youth and encouragement of the establishment of startups. These promises were reiterated in points 11, 41, and 47 of his presentation when he ran for the presidential elections in December 2019. He emphasized the importance of “implementing an action plan for youth to prepare them for their political, social, economic responsibilities and fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs. The university should serve as a framework for education, development, and innovation through the development of scientific research and the promotion of startups.”
To achieve these goals, the Ministry of Startups and Knowledge Economy and the Higher Council for Youth were established after President Tebboune took office. Laws were enacted to encourage innovation, facilitate the creation of small businesses, and motivate university students to enter entrepreneurship. Among these, the Basic Law for Self-Employed Entrepreneurs and the procedures for registering in the National Register of Self-Employed Entrepreneurs were crucial milestones.
In an interview last August, President Tebboune articulated his vision for the future of Algerian youth and university graduates, saying, “Today, the youth have a penchant for invention and innovation. They no longer necessarily seek employment but lean towards creating startup companies.”
He also considered the presence of 6,000 startup companies as a small number but viewed it as the beginning of building a new generation of entrepreneurs—a generation that is educated, honest, and patriotic.
In terms of numbers, the Minister of Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Small Enterprises, Mehdi Walid, revealed in a statement to the media last March that the number of active business incubators in Algeria had increased from 14 to 60 between 2020 and 2023. He described these numbers as “exceptional and pride-inducing.”
Regarding project financing for startups, the Algerian Fund for Financing Startup Enterprises managed to collect 58 billion Algerian dinars from investment funds at the regional level.
The Algerian Fund for Financing Startup Enterprises: A Confirmed Reality
Nour Eddine Wahid, the director responsible for startups and support structures at the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and Startups, disclosed that there are more than 1,700 operators in the ecosystem of startup enterprises among more than 6,000 startup companies nationwide.
Wahid stated in an interview with “Sabaq Press” in his office, “The latest data indicates the presence of 1,700 operators in the startup ecosystem, each of whom has been granted either the designation of a startup, an innovative project, or a business incubator.”
He also highlighted that “the National Platform for Startup Enterprises, launched in January 2021, has received hundreds of thousands of applications.” Wahid added that any operator wanting to have an impact on the ecosystem simply needs to access the online platform and submit an application.
In the wake of these developments, Algerian youth are embracing entrepreneurship and innovation, marking a promising path forward for the country’s economic and social development. As they continue to grow and expand their startup ecosystem, Algeria is laying the foundation for a prosperous future led by its young entrepreneurs.
