Female Entrepreneurship In Algeria's Emerging Economy: Between Digital Leverage And Persistent Structural Barriers
Auteurs : Ait Bara Hani . Ait Atmane Braham . Idiri Yanis .
Résumé
This paper offers one of the first analyses combining recent national and international statistical data to examine female entrepreneurship in Algeria in the digital age, thereby providing an original, multidimensional reading of the link between digitalisation and gender in an emerging North African economy. The objective is to analyse the interplay between persistent structural constraints, emerging digital dynamics, and the potential empowerment levers available to Algerian women entrepreneurs. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative, documentary and analytical approach based on the triangulation of statistical data from national and international bodies, combined with a critical review of the academic literature. The findings confirm three main results. First, structural constraints, whether socio-cultural, financial or institutional, remain the primary barriers to female entrepreneurship, with women accounting for only 9% of registered traders despite a 37% increase since 2019. Second, digital tools, such as social networks, e-commerce platforms, digital payment solutions and online training, help reduce certain market access barriers and foster women's economic empowerment. Third, this positive impact of digitalisation remains strongly conditioned by pre-existing structural factors, including educational attainment, access to digital infrastructure, geographical location and institutional support. In practical terms, these findings call for gender-sensitive financial instruments, the integration of gender quotas in incubators, investment in digital infrastructure in rural and interior regions, and the development of accessible childcare facilities near entrepreneurial hubs.
Mots clés
Female entrepreneurship ; Digitalisation ; Structural constraints ; Economic empowerment ; North Africa ; Algeria
