Algeria to host African startup conference

Algeria will host the fifth African Startup Conference from 5 to 7 December at the International Conference Centre Abdellatif Rahal, with more than 25,000 people taking part.

Ash-Shorouk Online reported that Nour Eddine Wadah, minister of the Knowledge Economy, Startups and Micro-Enterprises, announced the event at a press conference in Algiers.

Wadah said the conference would bring together 40 ministerial delegations from African countries and more than 150 investors. More than 100 international experts in emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) will also take part.

Wadah added that participation would not be limited to African bodies. Startups and organisations from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy and Russia, will also take part, along with United Nations bodies and organisations that support entrepreneurship.

Wadah announced that the African Union (AU) had endorsed the outcomes of the fourth edition, which Algeria hosted last year, at its headquarters in Addis Ababa. Outcomes of earlier editions, especially the ministerial summit held on the sidelines of the conference, have become official lists at the AU.

Funding for the sector

Funding for deep technology in Africa rose from $86m in 2015 to $1.2bn in 2023, according to the ministry's figures. These figures are based on data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The theme of the fifth edition is deep technology, the real challenge. The conference will show how African startups can develop new solutions in deep technology.

It will also show how they can help build the continent's technological sovereignty, especially in data, AI, health and energy. The event will also bring together decision makers, investors and startup owners to share experience, build partnerships and sign deals.

What it means for readers

Over three days, ministers, private sector representatives, investors, technology centres and African talent living abroad will hold talks. The talks will seek practical recommendations that can be done or made.

Startup owners and other players in the African system can use them.

Discussions will cover four main areas: digital sovereignty and AI, resources and energy, health and human capital, and women's entrepreneurship in deep technology.