A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit called Williams has launched a training program in Algiers to equip Algerian women with skills in digital technologies, aiming to increase female participation in the tech workforce. The initiative, reported this week by the Washington Informer, targets entrepreneurs and employees in sectors like software development, data analysis and digital marketing—fields where Algerian women remain underrepresented despite national efforts to close gender gaps.
The program, which started recently with cohorts in Algiers and Oran, offers short, intensive courses in Python, cloud computing and UX design, followed by internships with Algerian tech firms. According to the Williams website, more than 150 women have enrolled so far, with placements arranged at companies in the Algiers Cyber Park and the Technopole d’Oran. “We want to connect women with real economic opportunities,” said Aisha Williams, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, in a press release issued last month.
Algeria’s digital economy is growing—mobile broadband subscriptions reached 27 million in 2024, up from 22 million in 2022—yet only 18 percent of tech jobs are held by women, according to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. “There is demand from companies for skilled workers, but the pipeline is too narrow,” said Leila Hamidi, a software engineer at Inetum Algeria who mentors trainees. “This program fills part of the gap.”
For entrepreneurs, the initiative opens new possibilities. Startups in Algiers and Oran can now access a larger pool of trained female developers, designers and data analysts. Samir Touati, co-founder of a digital marketing agency in Algiers, recently hired two graduates from the Williams program to lead a project for a local bank. “Their skills in Python and SQL saved us three months of development time,” he said.
The government has also taken steps to support women in tech. In 2023, the Ministry of National Economy launched a 1 billion dinar fund to finance women-led startups, with 40 percent earmarked for digital enterprises. The program has already approved 120 loans averaging 4.2 million dinars each, according to the ministry’s annual report.
Yet barriers remain. Cultural norms and limited childcare options still deter some women from working in tech, especially outside major cities. “Many women leave the workforce after their first child,” said Dr. Fatima Zohra Benali, a sociologist at the University of Algiers. “Remote work and flexible hours could keep them in the sector.”
For the Algerian diaspora, the initiative offers a channel to contribute. Williams has partnered with diaspora professionals in France and Canada who volunteer as online mentors. “We’re tapping into talent beyond Algeria’s borders,” said Williams. One mentor, Yacine Khodja, a data scientist based in Montreal, has guided five trainees through machine-learning projects.
Entrepreneurs looking to benefit from this momentum should consider upskilling teams with these new graduates, exploring partnerships with the Williams program, or applying for the ministry’s startup fund. With Algeria’s digital economy expanding and more women entering tech, opportunities for collaboration and growth are growing fast.
Key takeaway for entrepreneurs: Algeria’s tech sector is expanding, but women remain a largely untapped talent pool; connecting with programs like Williams or the ministry’s startup fund can provide skilled workers and financial support to grow your business.
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