In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and peace and blessings be upon the noblest of Messengers.

Minister of Industry,

Minister of the Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Micro-Enterprises,

President of the Algerian Electrical Industries Cluster (CIEL),

Chief Executive Officer of the Exhibitions and Export Company (SAFEX),

Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of the companies participating with us today,

Distinguished guests, each according to his rank and position,

Members of the media,

Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.

It gives me great pleasure to join you today in inaugurating the first edition of the International Exhibition of Electricity and Renewable Energies, KAHRABA EXPO, which is being organized for the first time in Algeria under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies. At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizers for their kind invitation and for this distinguished initiative that brings together the leading stakeholders in the electrical industry sector.

This first-of-its-kind event provides a platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas on current issues, including new digital technologies, sustainable solutions, and developments in the field of electrical equipment.

This exhibition is of great importance, as it enables all institutional and industrial stakeholders to share their expertise and perspectives on the challenges and solutions that ensure the development and economic growth of the electrical industry sector. Moreover, the organization of this event falls within the framework of implementing the directives of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, aimed at promoting the electrical industries sector, strengthening its position, and exploring partnership opportunities to develop its activities, with the objective of enhancing the competitiveness of national production in this strategic sector.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The electricity sector faces major challenges, including the growing demand for energy, the integration of larger shares of renewable energies into the power grid, and the reduction of the carbon footprint through the electrification of transport and industry, digitalization, and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence across many industries. All of this increases demand for electrical energy, while automation and artificial intelligence simultaneously offer new opportunities for forecasting and capacity optimization.

The ongoing energy transition represents a real opportunity to make electricity a driver of development and a lever for economic and social growth, particularly through the creation of wealth-generating industries and job opportunities, and by encouraging investment in new and promising sectors. To support and ensure the success of the national program for renewable energies and energy efficiency, cooperation with all stakeholders is essential to strengthen industrial capacities in this field. Our program will be far more effective if most equipment and components are manufactured locally, and if the required technologies are mastered within Algerian laboratories.

In this regard, the Sonelgaz Group stands as a model to be followed, acting as the driving force of the electrical industry in the country. Through its laboratories, it has enabled the qualification of more than 164 manufacturers of electrical equipment and 34 manufacturers of gas equipment since 2005 to date.

The future challenge remains to further increase the national integration rate, which already exceeds 50 percent across most of the value chain, thereby enabling access to external markets, particularly African markets.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We aspire to translate into concrete reality the objectives set by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Achieving this requires the pooling of efforts, access to technological innovation, and the development of expertise in all its forms—priorities that are at the very top of our agenda.

Joint action among all stakeholders will strengthen national integration through the development of local resources and production, while also creating jobs. We aim to maintain a climate of trust with our partners to encourage their increased contribution to the national economy through strong and fruitful partnerships. We are confident that the discussions during this event will be constructive and will address, in practical terms, technological innovation, digital transformation, risk management, certification, and standards—topics of critical importance. This event will undoubtedly strengthen relations and exchanges among stakeholders in the electrical industry, which remains a fundamental objective we seek to achieve.

Before concluding, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the organizers of this inaugural edition, to the participants, and to all exhibitors who will make a valuable contribution to this event. I am confident that, over time, it will become an essential meeting point for professionals in the electrical industry and will gain international resonance, particularly in Africa.

Accordingly, I hereby declare the official opening of the International Exhibition of Electricity and Renewable Energies (KAHRABA EXPO).

Finally, I thank you for your kind attention and wish the exhibition every success.

Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies

Dr. Mourad Adjal