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.