Algeria Announces National AI Strategy 2024-2030
Algeria unveils a national AI roadmap centered on research, startup support, data infrastructure, and priority sectors—anchored by the Scientific Council for Artificial Intelligence.
Algiers — Algeria has officially unveiled its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2024–2030, a landmark policy designed to position the country as a technological leader in Africa and the Mediterranean. The announcement came during the closing ceremony of the 3rd African Startups Conference at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center in Algiers, in the presence of national officials, African ministers, and representatives of the public and private sectors.
Reported by Algérie Presse Service (APS), the strategy seeks to harness AI across multiple sectors to deliver innovative, locally developed solutions that meet the needs of enterprises while strengthening national expertise and digital sovereignty. At the launch, Noureddine Ouadah — Minister of Knowledge Economy, Startups and Micro-Enterprises — outlined the government’s commitment to enabling an environment where Algerian startups and researchers can translate advanced technologies into real economic impact.
Six Pillars of the Strategy
According to Professor Merouane Debbah, President of the Scientific Council for Artificial Intelligence, the strategy is structured around six main pillars:
- Strengthening scientific research in AI.
- Creating a favorable environment for AI innovation.
- Developing local capacities through education and training.
- Supporting startups to deliver AI-driven solutions for businesses.
- Ensuring reliable data centers and digital infrastructure.
- Defining priority sectors for AI deployment, notably agriculture, health, and industry.
Professor Debbah underscored the clarity of the policy vision:
“With this strategy, Algeria now has a clear vision and precise objectives to achieve in the field of technological innovation.”
He also stressed self-reliance:
“This strategy will allow us to provide Algerian-made AI solutions and thus reduce dependence on foreign technologies.”
Funding and Governance
To guarantee implementation, the government has allocated a special budget, reflecting a strong state commitment to innovation and capacity-building. Oversight will be guided by the Scientific Council for Artificial Intelligence, a consultative body operating under the supervision of Kamel Baddari, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Noureddine Ouadah. Its mandate includes assessing resources, proposing training programs, and expanding international cooperation.
Professor Debbah also encouraged other African nations to define their own AI strategies:
“It is crucial that African countries define their own approaches to artificial intelligence, in order to keep pace with the rapid global transformations underway.”
Anchored in a National Digital Vision
The AI strategy complements Algeria’s broader National Digital Transformation Agenda, initiated under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in 2019, reinforcing a long-term ambition to build a knowledge-based economy rooted in innovation and digital sovereignty. While structural challenges remain—particularly in data centers and cloud systems—the plan prioritizes investment in local talent, research capacity, and modern infrastructure to secure Algeria’s role as a regional hub for AI.