WYFEI 2030 Accelerator Award Goes to Algeria from African Union
Algeria received the WYFEI 2030 Accelerator Award from the African Union, an acknowledgment of its substantial efforts in accelerating women's and youth's financial and economic empowerment. The award ceremony took place during the second edition of the "Igumini" continental dialogue on gender equality and women's empowerment, held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from October 19 to 21, 2026. The Algerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union attended the event, alongside the Chairman of the AU Peace and Security Council, Mohamed Khaled, and the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Salma Haddadi.
This continental recognition specifically highlights Algeria's commitment and policies aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial initiatives and innovation among women. It also acknowledges the nation's efforts to facilitate women's access to financing opportunities and value chains. These actions reinforce the principle of equal opportunities and enhance the role of women as active contributors to Algeria's sustainable development, demonstrating a clear dedication to their financial and economic inclusion.
The "Igumini" dialogue, organized by the AU Commission's Directorate of Women, Gender and Youth in partnership with the World Bank Group, focused on "Building a Resilient Africa by Accelerating Women's Financial and Economic Inclusion." The event gathered over 250 participants, including ministers, central bank governors, women entrepreneurs, and representatives from international financial institutions, to address the estimated $42 billion financing gap for women across Africa. The broader WYFEI 2030 initiative, launched by the African Union, aims to mobilize $100 billion by 2030 to create economic, financing, and investment opportunities for at least 10 million African women and youth, thereby boosting their participation in intra-African trade through the AfCFTA. Several other African nations, including Tunisia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and Botswana, were also honored alongside Algeria.
