Tebboune’s reforms fail to unlock female entrepreneurship

Algeria’s economic stagnation and political gridlock have left women-led businesses struggling to access capital, despite their growing role in protests and informal sectors. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s recent reforms—including a 2025 deadline to boost female participation in the workforce—have done little to address systemic barriers, leaving entrepreneurs and the Algerian diaspora skeptical about real change.

Women lead protests but face business exclusion

Entrepreneurs cite bureaucratic hurdles as the biggest obstacle. A female founder in Algiers, who runs a logistics firm, told Manara Magazine that securing a business license takes an average of six months—double the time for male applicants. The World Bank ranks Algeria 127th out of 190 countries in ease of doing business, a ranking that disproportionately affects women, who lack collateral or family networks to secure loans.

State-backed programs fall short

The diaspora is watching closely. Algerian women in France and Canada, who run successful businesses in retail and services, often return home to find their local counterparts locked out of banking and public procurement. “We see opportunities in Europe, but back in Algeria, the system still treats women as second-class citizens,” said a Paris-based Algerian restaurateur who sources ingredients from Algeria but cannot expand there due to red tape.

Informal economy thrives—but at a cost

Some find workarounds. In Constantine, a group of women set up a cooperative to export handmade carpets, bypassing local banks by partnering with a Tunisian importer. But scaling such models requires foreign currency, which remains tightly controlled. The Algerian dinar’s black-market rate (over 500 DZD per euro) makes imports costly, pushing women to rely on smuggled goods or expensive remittances from abroad.

Diaspora investments stagnate without reforms

The government’s recent easing of foreign investment rules—allowing 100% ownership in some sectors—excludes women from state contracts, which still favor male-owned firms. “We’re not against foreign investors, but we need level playing fields,” said Leïla Benali, president of the Algerian Women Entrepreneurs Network. “Right now, the system rewards connections, not competence.”

Key takeaway for entrepreneurs