WIPO and INAPI Launch Second Edition of "Nadjahi" Program to Boost Algerian Agrifood SMEs' IP and Innovation Capacity

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), collaborating with the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI), officially launched the second edition of the "Nadjahi" program on Monday. This initiative is designed to build intellectual property (IP) and innovation capacity among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), support product development, and enhance competitiveness in Algeria’s domestic market.

The launch ceremony was held in Algiers and attended by representatives from WIPO and INAPI, alongside program mentors and business leaders participating in the initiative.

Mohamed Saleck Ahmed Ethmane, Director of the WIPO External Office in Algeria, told APS that this edition specifically targets the agrifood sector. This focus reflects Algeria’s strategic priority to achieve food self-sufficiency while transitioning toward a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy.

Ethmane emphasized that agrifood companies uniquely combine manufacturing, innovation, and agriculture, making the sector well-suited to benefit from WIPO’s expertise. For this edition, thirteen SMEs were selected to participate.

Reflecting on the WIPO External Office’s performance nearly a year after its establishment, Ethmane described the results as positive. He highlighted Algeria’s dynamic momentum and ongoing efforts to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and diversify its economy. He stated, "Supporting SMEs and leveraging intellectual property serve as vital levers to achieve this goal."

Abdelhafid Belmehdi, Director General of INAPI, noted that the program’s sector specialization aims to foster stronger connections among participants, facilitate peer learning, and enable experts to provide more tailored support to the agrifood enterprises involved.

Belmehdi explained that this targeted approach marks a shift from general awareness and training sessions toward practical business support. The goal is to help enterprises establish a stronger market presence and scale their operations domestically.

The first edition of the "Nadjahi" program trained 10 SMEs, covering essential growth areas such as intellectual property strategies, marketing, digitalization, finance, and legal affairs. The program incorporated mentor feedback customized to each firm’s needs.

Intellectual property rights protect creations, innovations, trademarks, and other intellectual output, enabling rights holders to commercialize and monetize their work. IP includes patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and copyrights.

For SMEs, intellectual property is critical to building competitive advantages, protecting products against counterfeiting, and transforming innovative ideas into valuable commercial assets.

The launch of the second "Nadjahi" edition aligns with Algeria’s broader economic and innovation policies, emphasizing the role of IP in supporting SME growth and sectoral development, particularly in agrifood industries.

Additional recent developments in Algeria’s economic and innovation sectors include bilateral discussions on hydrocarbons with Qatar’s Power International Holding, pharmaceutical cooperation talks with Oman, and efforts to strengthen economic ties with Belarus.

The Algerian Minister of Post and Telecommunications has also called for closing the AI capacity gap and reinforcing national sovereignty in digital technologies, underscoring the country’s commitment to innovation-driven growth.

These initiatives collectively reflect Algeria’s strategic focus on leveraging intellectual property and innovation to diversify its economy and enhance competitiveness across key sectors.