Africa’s Renaissance Through Innovation: ‘The African Startup Conference Embodies Our Commitment to Overcome Future Challenges,’ Declares President Tebboune

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | December 5th, 2024 —The African Startup Conference, held in Algiers under the high patronage of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has solidified its status as a major continental forum for addressing the challenges of the future. In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the President by Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui, Tebboune emphasized the conference’s role in fostering an ecosystem of innovation and integration across Africa, unlocking the continent’s potential while asserting its influence on the global stage.

“This conference is now a continental milestone that reaffirms our commitment, as Africans, to face future challenges and lay the groundwork for a shared ecosystem built on innovation, integration, and the optimal exploitation of our resources,” President Tebboune declared.

Reaffirming Pan-African Cooperation and Solidarity

The President highlighted Algeria’s deep-rooted commitment to pan-African solidarity, framing the conference as both a tribute to the sacrifices of Africa’s past and a platform for forging its future. “By hosting this event, Algeria reiterates its unwavering dedication to the ideals of unity and progress, standing as a testament to our ancestors’ struggles for freedom, dignity, and prosperity for Africans across the continent,” he said.

President Tebboune also lauded the new generation of African innovators as the torchbearers of a renaissance for the continent. He noted their ability to leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to drive transformative change. “The rising Africa honors the sacrifices of generations of patriots and resistance fighters, channeling their legacy into ambitious endeavors that embrace the most sophisticated realms of technology,” he remarked.

Harnessing AI for Africa’s Knowledge Economy

Central to this year’s conference is the exploration of artificial intelligence as a cornerstone of Africa’s burgeoning knowledge economy. More than 500 startups, alongside ministers, investors, and innovation experts from across the continent, are participating in discussions aimed at transforming ideas into tangible projects that align with sustainable development goals.

The President underscored the necessity of integrating AI into Africa’s economic framework to bolster efficiency and competitiveness, citing its transformative impact on global economies. “AI must become an integral part of efforts to consolidate the knowledge economy, expand entrepreneurship, and empower startups as critical levers of modern economic growth,” Tebboune asserted.

Charting the Future: New Roadmaps and Aspirations

The conference also aims to evaluate progress on previous initiatives, including the Algiers Declaration and the continental startup roadmap, while drafting a new blueprint for integrating AI into Africa’s development agenda. The event serves as a convergence point for dialogue, collaboration, and investment opportunities that will shape Africa’s entrepreneurial and technological landscapes.

President Tebboune concluded by expressing confidence in the ability of African startups and entrepreneurs to propel the continent into an era of unprecedented growth and innovation. “With a united effort, Africa can and will rise to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” he affirmed.

This third edition of the African Startup Conference underscores the collective determination of African nations to foster innovation-driven economies and secure a prominent place for Africa on the global stage.

Orientive Speech by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Sets the Vision for Africa’s Innovative Future (Full Text)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. On Him, we rely, and from Him, we seek guidance.

• Distinguished Ministers and Heads of Delegations,
• Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen,
• Honored Guests of Algeria,

I am pleased to extend my greetings to you as you gather once again in Algeria for this event, which has become a continental milestone that reaffirms our collective African commitment to addressing the challenges of the future. It also lays the groundwork for constructing a continental framework rooted in innovation and integration to optimize the capabilities of our nations and elevate Africa’s standing on the global stage.

True to the spirit of African cooperation and solidarity, and honoring the struggles and sacrifices of our forebears for the freedom, dignity, and prosperity of Africans across the continent, Algeria is today hosting the third edition of the African Startup Conference. This gathering offers you, as a new generation of architects of Africa’s renaissance, an opportunity to uphold the legacy of your ancestors, who—through arduous and unjust decades that hindered Africa’s progress and exploited its resources—stood against oppression and tyranny, rose against colonialism, and resisted hegemony. Their sacrifices remain a testament to the profound cost Africa bore to ensure its peoples live in freedom, sovereignty, and solidarity.

The emerging, resurgent Africa, loyal to the sacrifices of generations of patriots and resisters across the continent, inspires you with the strength to confront challenges as you advance towards the future. With the ambition of those confident in achieving success, you are equipped to master the complexities of modern technology, particularly in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence. This critical area must inevitably be integrated into the processes of consolidating the knowledge economy, expanding the scope of entrepreneurship, and fostering the growth of startups as pivotal drivers of contemporary economic development, ensuring efficiency and profitability as evidenced by the economies of developed nations.

Your commitment to organizing this conference, establishing it as a tradition that fosters spaces for African dialogue, innovation, and initiative, reflects the determination of entrepreneurs, particularly young leaders, to challenge obstacles and make a meaningful contribution to mechanisms of African cooperation. This forum enhances continental efforts to transform Africa into a competitive player in the current global economic landscape—a goal achievable through Africa’s vast and diverse human resources, modernized and efficient economies, and the talents and innovations of its youth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In a short period since 2020, Algeria has made significant strides in establishing the foundational elements required for a knowledge-based economy. Today, unprecedented incentives are available to investors, particularly the youth, enabling them to realize their projects and transform their innovations into tangible achievements that contribute to wealth creation and addressing challenges across various sectors. These efforts have positioned Algeria as a leading player in Africa, thanks to comprehensive and radical economic reforms. These reforms have made startups a central pillar of economic recovery, supported by sustained backing and encouragement, most notably through the establishment of a dedicated fund to support startups. This is part of a broader strategy to expand financial frameworks for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, creating bridges between educational institutions, research centers, and the business world. Additionally, Algeria has launched numerous initiatives to enhance training in innovation-related fields, particularly artificial intelligence, which is gaining increasing attention, as evidenced by its selection as the theme for this edition.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Algeria’s progress in developing an integrated ecosystem for startups is closely aligned with the dynamic momentum observed across the African continent. This conference undoubtedly serves as a pivotal platform, bringing together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators to connect, exchange ideas, and forge strategic partnerships. These collaborations will play a crucial role in transforming the challenges facing our continent into opportunities for success, thereby achieving sustainable development. This aligns with the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

We firmly believe that the purpose of this conference extends beyond hosting the largest technological event in Africa. It is about establishing a comprehensive continental ecosystem encompassing training, funding, infrastructure investment, and creating a legislative environment that encourages innovation.

I hope the deliberations of this conference are crowned with success, and I reaffirm our unwavering commitment, driven by genuine and robust African will, to support its outcomes so that Africa becomes an active participant in global transformations and a worthy contributor to the global economy.

Thank you for your kind attention.
May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.

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