1st-ever roadmap for African startups drawn up at Algeria summit

African Startup Conference brought together ministers from several African countries, leading global tech industry figures

By Ikram Imane Kouachi

ALGIERS, Algeria (AA) – The first-ever roadmap for Africa’s booming startup ecosystem was drawn up at a high-level conference recently held in Algeria.

The African Startup Conference, a two-day event that kicked off in the capital Algiers on Dec. 5, brought together ministers from several African countries and leading figures of the global tech industry.

In-depth discussions led to decisions on “new mechanisms to establish the first high-level pan-African cooperation platform in the field of startups, making it a national economic priority through governmental development programs,” according to a statement.

The participants emphasized the need for “coordinated activities and policies at the continental level to upgrade Africa’s position within the global ecosystem,” read the statement.

Ministers agreed to form a permanent secretariat for the African Startup Conference that will monitor the implementation of the roadmap.

They also decided to set up a special fund for African startups “to finance innovative projects on the continent,” the statement said.

A communication mechanism will be established within the African Union to facilitate cooperation among various countries, it added.

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