Algeria launches initiative for 1,000 rural women entrepreneurs
The '1,000 Women: 1,000 Projects' initiative aims to transform traditional skills into sustainable businesses.
Algeria is launching the '1,000 Women: 1,000 Projects' initiative to support female entrepreneurship, particularly in rural and isolated areas. The National Agency for Microcredit Management (ANGEM) plans to assist at least 1,000 women, leveraging their inherited expertise in processing agricultural products, traditional foods, and handicrafts into profitable ventures.
The program focuses on enhancing the value of local resources by supporting women in transforming fruits and vegetables, preserving and drying produce, and developing artisanal activities. This initiative seeks to move women's production from limited home-based work to organized economic activities, providing training in cost management, pricing, and customer relations.
Siham Ben Jemil, Director General of ANGEM, stated the goal is to accompany and finance a thousand women nationwide, offering financial support, technical training, networking, and marketing mechanisms. The strategy aims to better utilize rural raw materials, reduce post-harvest losses, and create jobs in collection, processing, packaging, and distribution.
Why it mattersRural Algerian women with traditional skills in food processing and handicrafts will gain support to develop their businesses.