Algeria has sought to assert itself as a continental leader at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, but the country’s internal economic and diplomatic challenges are raising questions about its credibility on the international stage.
Represented by Noureddine Ouadah, Minister of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Microenterprises, Algeria positioned itself as a voice for African innovation and intercontinental cooperation.
Yet behind the official rhetoric, Algiers grapples with an economic crisis that threatens to undermine its ambitions.
Foreign exchange reserves are dwindling, reliance on hydrocarbons remains overwhelming, and promised structural reforms have yet to take hold.
Youth unemployment continues to rise, while the informal economy absorbs an increasingly large share of activity, leaving Algeria struggling to translate its developmental aspirations into tangible progress.
Diplomatic challenges compound the economic difficulties.
Relations with Morocco remain tense, Algeria’s stance on Sahel security issues is often ambiguous, and shifting alignments with Moscow and other regional actors limit its capacity to project influence.
As African nations navigate a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape—with initiatives from Morocco, Turkey, China, and Gulf states—Algeria has found it difficult to offer a cohesive or widely accepted vision.
At TICAD, Algeria highlighted its “African Startup Conference,” launched in 2022, as a platform to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent. However, analysts argue that its impact has been largely symbolic, resonating mainly within official circles rather than effecting substantive change.
“The official discourse aims to mobilize and project leadership,” said observers, “but the country’s economic fragility and limited regional influence reveal a stark gap between ambition and reality.”
Algeria’s participation in TICAD underscores the tension between its desire to play a leading role in Africa and the practical constraints at home and abroad. While the conference offers an international stage, the country’s economic vulnerabilities and diplomatic isolation highlight the limits of its influence in shaping continental cooperation and policy.
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