Remarks by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva at the North Africa: Connecting Continents, Creating Opportunities Conference, Algiers, Algeria

Let me begin by expressing my deep appreciation to our hosts in Algeria: Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb and Governor Mouatassem Boudiaf, and all those who have worked to bring us together in beautiful Algiers—a city that has long been a crossroads of cultures. I am delighted to be here for the first time. It is a privilege to join you today.  

We meet at a moment of profound global transformation. Geopolitical tensions are rising, trade and financial flows are being re-wired, supply chains reconfigured, and energy systems reimagined. All this when technology is advancing at remarkable speed, in particular the role of AI. So, it is no surprise that uncertainty remains elevated and is likely to be the new normal.  

It is precisely at such moments that cooperation is needed the most. And this is what I’d like to speak to you about today.   

North Africa has a significant opportunity—an opportunity to deepen its cooperation, trade and integration with sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, and to offer greater growth and prosperity for its people. 

Of course, the region already has a history of such economic links with trade routes and investment flows with Europe—and more recently,........

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