The African Development Bank and Algeria’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy pledged to strengthen their partnership for accelerating startup and small business growth across Africa at the close of the Intra-African Trade Fair in Algiers, according to AfDB press-release. The fourth edition of IATF 2025 ran from September 4-10, bringing together business leaders and government officials to discuss continental trade and investment opportunities. Acting Director Ousmane Fall emphasized that supporting SMEs and startups represents a key pillar of the bank’s work under new President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah’s leadership.
The bank’s delegation met with Algeria Venture, the public startup accelerator, to expand collaboration through exchanges with Algerian startup funds and leading private equity and venture capital firms. Both parties confirmed joint participation in the African Startup Conference scheduled for December 6-9 in Algiers, which will serve as a continental platform for promoting innovation and mobilizing investment. Minister Noureddine Ouadah announced creation of a new investment fund dedicated to African startups – an initiative backed by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Fall outlined the bank’s innovative approach combining new financing instruments, advisory services, and policy reforms to help SMEs emerge across the continent. The Non-Sovereign Operations team showcased private sector financing solutions and explored strategic partnerships with companies like Nigeria’s Solewant Group, a steel and coatings leader.
“Solewant perfectly illustrates the type of transformative business the Bank seeks to support: African-led, growth-oriented, and committed to building a more industrialized and self-reliant continent,” said Cédric Achille Mbeng Mezui from the bank’s Africa Investment Forum.
The bank shared expertise in key IATF sessions including “Building an Enabling Startup Ecosystem” with UNDP and the African Union, presenting its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab and ENNOVA platform that helps entrepreneurs scale businesses and access opportunities.
