The government is decided to increase incentives to innovate and to facilitate the creation of star-ups and spin-offs in order to allow the emergence of creative businesses essential to the establishment of a knowledge-based economy.

The first  step was the gradual establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks relating to the creation of start-ups as well as support and financing mechanisms with the involvement of public banks (CPA, BEA, BNA , CNEP, BADR, BDL). Thus it becomes possible for young project leaders to benefit from State support for the costs inherent in patents  and intellectual property and to access incubators spread over the national territory. These facilities for supporting innovators only existed for researchers affiliated to research laboratories within the framework of the National Research Fund. These measures need to be consolidated on the ground, as we know the complexity of bureaucracy. Beyond the media effects of the National Startup Conference "Algeria Disrupt", it is necessary to review the trajectory of such a beneficial initiative in order to channel innovation and wealth creation. We must first clarify the concept of startup, which is defined as a new innovative company with high potential for growth and speculation on its future value.

The few start-ups propelled in Algeria are largely versed in “connecting people”  through digital platforms, like the well known  startup “Yassir” designed in Silicon-Valley. To see high-potential companies emergence in strategic sectors such as biotechnology, health, robotics or energy and artificial intelligence, it is essential to boost research in companies and in public science-based companies ( EPST) which have human resources, fablabs and access to technology platforms.

To target  commercialisation of products resulting from research, it will be necessary to  answer  the following relevant questions: a) how to push  academic research to answer the socio-economic needs of the country, b) How to create industry-university bridges to facilitate knowledge exchange, including technology transfer, c) how to convey the importance of applied research in improving competitiveness; and how to get companies to express their needs in terms of research; but also to invest in R&D. d) How to foster the emergence of innovation ecosystems, and the management of innovation, e) How to develop and strengthen human capacities to fill the skills gap. Your contribution is the welcome. You are invited to share your thoughts and to contribute in defining the innovation strategy in Algeria

For any input or contribution, please contact Prof; Sellami Mokhtar (m.sellami@cnrst.dz).

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Strengthening Research and Innovation (R&I) cooperation between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) is a joint key priority. R&I fosters sustainable and inclusive economic growth and job creation, thereby generating opportunities to reduce poverty and inequalities but also contribute to sustainable development.

This AU-EU Innovation Agenda proposes specific objectives with short-, medium- to long-term actions for all four HLPD priority areas (Public Health,  Green Transition,  Innovation and Technology,  Capacities for Science (Science for Policy Making, Open Science, Human Capital Development, Gender Equality)).

The aim of this online public consultation is to seek input and feedback from citizens on the objectives and proposed actions of the Innovation Agenda, being open to suggestions and ideas on additional work streams. This is done to ensure that the Agenda will be designed and implemented in response to current and future needs and ultimately maximise chances to provide for sustainable and inclusive growth in both Africa and Europe.

The consultation will remain open until June 30th, 2022. The outcome will be summarised and communicated in a dedicated report, foreseen to be published in the second half of 2022. 

As in Africa and Europe, Algerian research institutions and innovators are invited to contribute and participate in the planned activities. Before filling out the form, take a few minutes to understand the purpose of the consultation and the next steps.
Find out more information and take part in the consultation on the website of the European Commission 
Watch the AU-EU Innovation Agenda promotional video 
Factsheet on EU-AU cooperation in Research and Innovation 

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TWAS was founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the developing world, under the leadership of Abdus Salam, the Pakistani physicist and Nobel laureate. They shared a belief that developing nations, by building strength in science and engineering, could build the knowledge and skill to address such challenges as hunger, disease and poverty. From the start, the Academy had essential support from Italian scientists and political leaders.

The Third World Academy of Sciences, as it was originally known, was inaugurated officially in 1985 during a ceremony attended by United Nations Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar. Initially, TWAS had 42 elected fellows, nine of them Nobel laureates. The name was changed twice: in 2004, to "The Academy of Sciences for the developing world" and, in 2012, to the current one, "The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries". Today, TWAS has 1,296 elected fellows — some of the most accomplished scientists and engineers in the world— representing more than 100 countries; 11 of them are Nobel laureates. About 84 per cent come from developing nations, and the rest are scientists from the developed world whose work has had a significant impact in the South. TWAS fellows are the foundation for all of the work of Academy.
Access twas.org

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