Algeria is stepping up efforts to promote university-based entrepreneurship as a solution to high youth unemployment. By expanding a network of incubators across universities, the country aims to fuel innovation and diversify its economy through start-ups and technology.

Ahmed Mir, President of the National Commission for Innovation and University Incubators, reaffirmed on June 24 in Algiers, the government’s goal of reaching 20,000 start-ups by 2029. The target reflects the ambition of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to make entrepreneurship a driving force for economic growth.

Speaking during a parliamentary event focused on the role of university incubators, Mir said 124 incubators are currently active within Algeria’s higher education and research institutions. This network has already engaged 60,000 students whose final-year projects focus on launching start-ups, micro-enterprises, or patent applications. So far, these initiatives have resulted in 1,600 micro-enterprises, 130 start-ups, 1,175 certified “innovative” projects, and 2,800 patents filed with the relevant authorities.

This momentum follows three years of intensive work by the Ministry of Higher Education to instill an entrepreneurial culture within universities. Each year, Algeria produces around 250,000 graduates, including more than 110,000 in technical, scientific, and digital fields. These graduates are seen as a strategic resource to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The growing start-up scene carries important social implications. With youth unemployment remaining high, the development of start-ups and micro-enterprises offers a vital pathway to job creation and social stability.

However, despite the promising progress, significant challenges remain. These include improving access to financing, enhancing digital infrastructure, and providing better regulatory support for entrepreneurs.

Samira Njoya