Algeria has launched a national incubation and acceleration program for startups in the field of tourism. The launch follows a partnership between the country’s Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Labor of the family and the Ministry in charge of the Knowledge Economy and Startups.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- Initialed by the ministers of the two sectors, Mohamed Ali Boughazi and Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, the partnership allows startups, through the program, to propose innovative projects in the sectors of technologies relating to the hotel industry (HospitalityTech ), finance (Fintech), agriculture (Greentech), catering (FoodTech), health (HealthTech), organic products (BioTech) and for sale (RetailTech).
- Called “Siaha Lab”, this program will be carried out in collaboration with the Hotel, Tourism and Spa Group (HTT) and provides for the creation of several incubators and startup accelerators across the country, starting with the one that will be inaugurated in Hammam Bouhnifia (Ain Temouchent), on the occasion of the organization of the “Oran Disrupt” event on March 20 and 21, while the second incubator will be inaugurated in Ghardaïa on the sidelines of the event “ Ghardaïa Disrupt” scheduled for April 10.
- The other cities selected for the first phase of this program are Annaba, Sidi Fredj (Algiers), Guelma, Batna, Oran, Tamenrasset, Bechar and Biskra. Mr. Boughazi described the agreement as “unprecedented step” allowing young entrepreneurs and carriers of innovative projects in the field of tourism to benefit from “the support of the HTT Group” to execute their projects, in particular “by using its infrastructures” and by benefiting from “the expertise of its workforce”.
- The program will contribute to the digital transition which is considered by the highest authorities of the country as a way out of dependence on hydrocarbons, he said, appealing to startups to “join” the officials sector in order to develop Algerian tourist infrastructures and enable them to offer “high-quality services”.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer
Algeria tourism startups Algeria tourism startups