Algeria has joined a growing list of countries with advanced plans to digitize key sectors of the national economy, inking a collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
According to a report by a local news outlet, the new partnership with the UNDP will support the Algerian national digital transformation strategy, aiming to enable the wholesale deployment of emerging technologies.
Signed in Algiers, High Commissioner for Digitization in Algeria, Meriem Benmouloud, and UNDP Resident Representative Natasha van Rijn met to discuss the new partnership.
Under the partnership, the UNDP will deploy resources to back Algeria’s push to introduce blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into its economy.
The UNDP will provide technical and regulatory insights to develop a long-term digitization roadmap for the North African country.
Furthermore, the UNDP will support training initiatives to deepen the Algerian talent pool for emerging technologies. Apart from policy design and training initiatives, the UNDP will support efforts with funding and resource mobilization.
At the moment, Algeria has set the ball rolling with a digital transformation strategy for 2025-2026. Dubbed Phase One, the short-term plan will attempt to digitize up to 500 public and private services, serving as the foundation for an advanced blueprint for the country.
“Over 500 projects have been identified for delivery during this window,” read an official statement.
“Three-quarters of these projects target improved public services, backed by monitoring and performance indicators.”
With Phase One already underway, pundits opine that the foundation for future roadmaps has been laid. Future attempts will focus on five strategic pillars, including basic infrastructure, human resources, research and development, digital economy, and digital governance.
Algeria’s end goal is to maintain national sovereignty over its digital systems while modernizing public services. Furthermore, authorities are focused on ensuring that the digital economy becomes a key contributor to Algeria’s GDP before the end of the decade.
North Africa leads the continent in digitization
Algeria is playing catch-up with its neighbors, given their first-mover advantage in integrating emerging technologies.
Morocco has significant investments in blockchain and AI, targeting a GDP boost of 10% by 2030 amid rising digital payment metrics.
(Coin Geek)
