To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, the WIPO External Office in Algeria, in coordination with the country’s National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI), organized an event celebrating the growing role of Algerian women in the areas of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.
This hybrid event, opened by the Director of the External Office, Mohamed Saleck AHMED ETHMANE, gathered more than 60 innovative women and highlighted the significant contributions of women in Algeria in the areas of scientific research, the creative industries, technology and the development of innovative entrepreneurial initiatives. Discussions underscored the increasing participation of Algerian women in the production of knowledge, the development of innovative solutions and the promotion of national creativity.
During the event, various women innovators and entrepreneurs shared their experiences and professional trajectories. They touched on the challenges they faced in implementing their projects, as well as the opportunities that innovation and intellectual property (IP) provided, helping to transform their ideas into value-creating initiatives. The discussions helped to inspire participants, while showcasing the diversity and dynamism of women-led initiatives in Algeria.
Alongside the event, an exhibition space was set up, enabling a number of women entrepreneurs and creators to present their products and creations. There were dedicated booths for participants to present their innovative products, brands and original creations, reflecting the creative and entrepreneurial potential of Algerian women. This showcased their products and creations and highlighted IP as a means of enhancing and protecting their ideas and know-how.
Discussions also underscored the importance of bolstering women’s role in the IP system, in particular through patent filings, trademark registration, and the protection of creative works.
In recent years, Algeria has made notable progress in narrowing the gender gap in higher education and scientific research. Public policies have promoted women’s access to university, leading to an increasing presence of women across many academic fields. Today, female students make up a significant—and often majority—share of the student body in several universities and higher education institutions. There are also initiatives to promote women’s participation in scientific research, support their academic careers and boost their representation in research projects, which have helped to gradually improve equal opportunities.
This trend is also reflected in the rise of women’s entrepreneurship: the number of women registered in Algeria’s trade registry grew by 37% between the end of 2019 and March 2026.
These advances reflect a positive shift towards greater inclusion of women in knowledge-based sectors, although some challenges remain and require further attention.
In this respect, participants stressed the need to promote a more enabling environment to give women full access to resources, opportunities and the tools needed to turn their ideas into tangible innovations. Raising awareness on IP, building capacity and providing support to women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs were key to encouraging women’s participation and promoting their contributions.
This event, organized together with INAPI, reflected the shared commitment of partner entities to supporting and encouraging the emergence of a more inclusive innovation ecosystem in Algeria. Through joint awareness-raising and cooperation initiatives, WIPO and INAPI are working to strengthen women’s role in the innovation and creativity landscape.
This women’s day celebration highlighted that women’s empowerment and active participation in innovation are key drivers of economic and social development. By helping to showcase the talents and initiatives of Algerian women, WIPO is reaffirming its commitment towards promoting more inclusive innovation, benefiting society as a whole.