On the sidelines of the Africa Investment and Trade Forum (AFIC12) in Algiers, Mr Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, met with Noureddine Ouadah, Minister of knowledge Economy, Start-Ups and Micro-enterprises of Algeria to discuss strengthening collaboration in support of Africa’s growing start-up and SME ecosystem.
The meeting highlighted the positive outcomes and momentum generated by the recent trade and investment engagements hosted in Algeria, particularly the successful hosting of investment and entrepreneurship initiatives aimed at advancing Africa’s economic integration and innovation agenda.
Central to the discussions was the upcoming Africa Start-up Conference, scheduled to take place from 5 to 7 December 2026 in Algiers. The conference is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, policymakers, and development partners from across the continent to explore opportunities for scaling African enterprises and strengthening regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
During the engagement, Mr Mene provided updates on the various SME-focused programmes and initiatives being implemented by the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat at both national and regional levels. These initiatives are designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises by improving market access, enhancing competitiveness, and creating new opportunities for participation in intra-African trade.
Both leaders underscored the critical role of start-ups and SMEs in driving innovation, job creation, and economic transformation across Africa, particularly among the continent’s growing youth population. They further recognised the importance of creating enabling environments that allow young entrepreneurs and emerging businesses to thrive within the framework of the AfCFTA.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a partnership to co-convene the Africa Start-up Conference, reflecting a shared commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs and supporting enterprise development across the continent.
The collaboration between the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat and the Government of Algeria is expected to further strengthen continental efforts to build a dynamic and inclusive innovation ecosystem capable of accelerating industrialisation, digital transformation, and sustainable economic growth in Africa.
Mr Mene participated in the Africa Investment and Trade Conference in Algiers (AFIC12) on 9 May 2026, where he underscored that the AfCFTA has entered a new phase, transitioning from negotiations to effective implementation, with the necessary instruments and mechanisms now in place to support the participation of the African private sector.
During his remarks, Mr Mene commended Algeria for the progress made in implementing the AfCFTA and reflected on the need for Africa to strategically position itself within an evolving global economic landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and market uncertainty. He further emphasised the importance of advancing inclusive trade by ensuring that women, youth, and MSMEs are better integrated into and able to benefit from the AfCFTA preferential market.
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