Speech of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on the occasion of the opening of the African Conference on Startups

Speech of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on the occasion of the opening of the African Conference on Startups – Full Text

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace and blessings be upon the noblest of messengers.

Madam Vice-President of the African Union,

Your Excellencies the Ministers and Heads of Delegations,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Entrepreneurs,

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.

I welcome you to the fourth edition of the African Conference on Startups, this landmark event in which Algeria hosts entrepreneurs from across the continent in the largest space gathering innovative youth. It represents a renewed opportunity for exchanging experiences and advancing the entrepreneurial sector in Africa, the Africa of the future.

For this edition, you have chosen the theme “Pride in Africa’s Entrepreneurs”, which is not just a title but a clear message expressing the capabilities of our youth who transform challenges into opportunities, ideas into projects, and ambitions into an economic reality based on knowledge and innovation.

This conference for entrepreneurs and startups embodies the spirit of an ambitious Africa. It aims to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of competing globally and enhancing our continent’s technological and economic sovereignty.

Algeria, in hosting this event, which reflects its commitment to strengthening continental cooperation based on sustainability and effectiveness, is convinced that Africa is rich in human capital capable of leading economic transformation and empowering entrepreneurial initiatives.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your significant participation in this edition reflects the importance of this conference at both the continental and international levels, with more than 25,000 participants, over 40 ministerial delegations, alongside 200 exhibitors and 150 international investors and experts in innovation and entrepreneurship. These numbers are not merely statistics; they demonstrate that this event has become a hub for startups and that our vision for building an innovative Africa resonates widely with our partners across the continent and beyond.

This year, we welcome the Republic of Rwanda as an honored guest, which has become a continental model in digital transformation and innovation, thanks to its strategic vision and political will.

Holding this conference only three months after Algeria hosted the African Intercontinental Trade Fair (IATF 2025) confirms our deep commitment to serving Africa and reflects our desire for Algeria to be a leading destination for innovation and economic integration on the continent.

In this context, Algeria has, over recent years, built a comprehensive legal and organizational framework to support startups, allowing the registration of over 13,000 startups by the end of this year, through:

A flexible and digital legal framework,

An incentive-based tax system that reduces burdens and fosters growth,

An open innovation framework linking startups with universities, research centers, and economic institutions,

Major investments in technological and research infrastructure.

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my personal commitment to reaching 20,000 startups by the end of 2029, and our ambitions go beyond national boundaries. The decision to establish a continental fund for financing African startups represents a strategic step towards empowering Africa’s youth and a clear invitation for all sister countries to adopt the best policies to foster innovation and provide a supportive regulatory environment.

I also emphasize the importance of enabling our startups to expand continentally and building a unified African technology market, which will attract greater investments and highlight African entrepreneurs capable of competing regionally and globally.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Previous editions have demonstrated the significance of this conference, whether through the African Union’s adoption of the “Algeria Declaration” outputs or through joint programs to support entrepreneurial talent and reduce brain drain. The previous edition was a major milestone for adopting a roadmap for implementing Africa’s artificial intelligence strategy, laying the foundations for digital transformation and the development of advanced technologies on the continent.

Your conference today aims to strengthen these achievements and expand collaborative work opportunities. I invite you on this occasion to engage in in-depth discussions on the best ways to build a continental ecosystem capable of supporting and expanding entrepreneurship across Africa.

I thank you all for your participation and appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in organizing this important continental event. I also thank the sister and friendly countries for their presence and support, confident that the work of this edition will yield tangible results supporting our youth and advancing development across the continent.

I hereby officially declare the opening of the fourth edition of the African Conference on Startups.

Long live a united, strong, innovative, and prosperous Africa, with its youth and talents.

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.