Oran Plant Inaugurated, Creating 1,800 Smartphone Industry Jobs
A new smartphone assembly plant, operated by the 100% Algerian capital company Smart Technologie Innovation (STI), has officially opened in Oran. The inauguration, overseen by Wali Ibrahim Ouchane on the occasion of Journée du Moudjahid, marks a significant development for the region. This facility is projected to generate up to 600 direct jobs and more than 1,200 indirect jobs, totaling over 1,800 new employment opportunities.
The plant, spanning 7,000 square meters, currently employs approximately 200 workers, with about 70% sourced from the National Employment Agency (ANEM). It operates two production lines, presently yielding around 2,000 smartphones daily, with plans to expand to a maximum capacity of 6,000 units per day through a three-shift system. STI has partnered with the Chinese smartphone brand Vivo, focusing on increasing local integration rates, transferring know-how and technology, and enhancing product quality in line with national directives to foster domestic production and lessen reliance on imported goods.
A key aspect of the initiative includes a dedicated approach to training, qualification, and career management for its workforce, coordinated with the professional training sector. This has led to the creation of a specialized professional qualification certificate in smartphone manufacturing and assembly, a first for Algeria, designed to align training with industry needs and guarantee employment for beneficiaries. The company is also committed to progressively manufacturing all locally producible components within Algeria, aiming to establish an integrated local industrial ecosystem for smartphone production.
Furthermore, STI prioritizes digital security by integrating smartphone software at the Algerian plant, an endeavor expected to bolster national digital product security. The company is also preparing to establish a specialized research and development (R&D) department, particularly for software development, in collaboration with higher education and scientific research centers. This includes an agreement with university research centers to cultivate an Algerian team of specialists, leveraging expertise from national universities. This new infrastructure represents a substantial addition to Algeria's industrial landscape, particularly in technological industries, promising expanded activity, increased production capabilities, and sustained job creation for the nation's youth.
