TICAD 2025: Ouadah Affirms Algeria’s Commitment to Africa’s Economic Leadership
During his participation in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 2025) in Yokohama, Japan, the Minister of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Micro-Enterprises, Noureddine Ouadah, underscored Algeria’s dedication to bolstering Africa’s status as a leading economic force globally. He attended the conference as a representative of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, as stated in a release from the ministry on Friday.
In his address during the economic session, Ouadah reaffirmed Algeria’s “strong commitment to continental integration and to enhancing Africa’s role as a significant global economic player through investments in promising energy sectors, alongside the promotion of solidarity, unity, and strategic complementarity.”
He remarked that the African continent is currently experiencing a critical phase in its economic and developmental trajectory, underscoring the need for economic transformation to be prioritized.
To achieve this aim, he identified four key focus areas. The first is innovation and technology, which he described as “true levers” for development, particularly through digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He emphasized the vital role of African start-ups in generating wealth and creating jobs.
The second area concerns foreign direct investment (FDI), deemed “essential for stimulating growth in Africa,” particularly in infrastructure, renewable energies, and manufacturing industries. The minister stressed that such investments must “align with local priorities” and “adhere to environmental and social standards.”
In discussing the third area related to natural resources, Ouadah advocated for their “rational and equitable” management, along with diversifying the economic base as a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development and reinforcing stability. He pointed out that “excessive reliance on natural resources has made African economies susceptible to fluctuations and crises.”
The fourth area focuses on human capital. The minister highlighted “the vast pool of talented and creative young Africans,” asserting that investing in education, training, and entrepreneurship to provide decent jobs is “a sine qua non condition for transforming this talent pool into a catalyst for economic transformation.”
Reflecting on Algeria’s experience in economic development, Ouadah noted that “the national economy has experienced sustained growth due to profound structural reforms and an ambitious policy aimed at boosting domestic production and diversifying exports beyond hydrocarbons, enabling Algeria to emerge as the third-largest economy in Africa.”
He added that the Algerian model “is characterized by economic independence and the lack of external debt.”
In the realm of international cooperation, the minister emphasized that “Algeria is working to strengthen strategic partnerships with Japan and other Asian countries, particularly in technology, manufacturing, renewable energies, and the transfer of expertise in innovation and modern management, while considering Africa’s developmental priorities.”
Ouadah underscored the importance of the Tokyo Summit as a “strategic framework” for dialogue and an “effective mechanism” to foster cooperation grounded in solidarity, respect, and mutual interests.
The TICAD 2025, organized in partnership with the African Union, Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank, unites representatives from 55 African nations, alongside Japanese officials and delegates from international organizations.
This conference, which began last Wednesday, seeks to strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders and explore new avenues to fulfill the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly focusing on TICAD’s three main pillars: economy, society, and peace and stability.
