The African Startup Conference convened in Algiers from December 6 to 8, 2025 under the High Patronage of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, adopting the theme “Proud of Africa’s Entrepreneurs” and reaffirming Algeria’s commitment to the continent’s digital economy.
Ministers, startup founders and project leaders discussed the development of communications infrastructure, scaling startups and strengthening the African innovation ecosystem to accelerate growth across regional markets. The gathering culminated in the adoption of the Algiers Declaration by African ministers responsible for startups, entrepreneurship and innovation, pledging concrete support for continental startups to expand into regional and international markets and to enhance access to funding sources.
Organized by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Startups and Micro-Enterprises together with the public accelerator Algeria Venture, the African Startup Conference attracted more than 35 ministerial delegations, over 200 exhibitors, 300 international experts and more than 150 investors, alongside a broad presence of incubators, project holders and entrepreneurs from the African diaspora. Rwanda served as guest of honor and ministers also ratified a continental tax framework for startups, innovation and research and development.
The conference spotlighted Algeria’s recent efforts to build a comprehensive support system for startups, including a flexible legal framework, incentive-based taxation and investments in research and technology. Delegates noted that Algeria has supported the emergence of over 13,000 startups with a national target of 20,000 by 2029. The Minister of Environment and Quality of Life announced an Algerian-African training programme in ecology to encourage environmental entrepreneurship among youth, to be carried out with the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
Speakers highlighted the role of the diaspora and local talent in advancing national initiatives such as the first national artificial intelligence strategy and in creating Algerian social media platforms tailored to local needs. Prime Minister Sifi Gharib underlined the conference as “the largest platform bringing together innovative youth” and stressed the importance of empowering emerging companies to expand continentally and build a unified African technology market. President Tebboune said the timing of the conference, shortly after the Intra-African Trade Fair, reflects Algeria’s ambition to be a leading destination for innovation and economic integration.
The African Startup Conference in Algiers reinforced a continental push to support startups with better funding, regulatory frameworks and market access. The Algiers Declaration and parallel commitments by communications and technology ministers aim to create fair, secure and responsible digital platforms, positioning African startups for sustainable growth and regional competitiveness.
