I’m Amina Djebbar, and I’ve always believed that fashion can be more than just clothes. That belief is what led me to create Vandista, an Algerian startup recently selected to participate in the ASEP exchange program in China. Our mission at Vandista is to make second-hand fashion accessible to everyone. But for me, it’s about more than just affordability; it’s about offering people a way to earn a second source of income, reducing social inequalities, and encouraging responsible consumption. At Vandista, we’re showing that fashion doesn’t have to harm the planet. Instead, it can be a force for good.
Over the years, our efforts have not gone unnoticed. Vandista was awarded Best Mobile App at the CTO Forum Algeria in 2023, and we won the Special Ooredoo Award at the national Machrou3i competition the same year. In 2024, we were honored to receive First Prize in the Annual Women Entrepreneur Challenge from Algeria Venture. These recognitions remind me that what we’re doing matters and that we’re heading in the right direction.
The ASEP exchange program in China is part of the Algerian Startup Learning Expedition Program, implemented by Algeria Venture, an initiative of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Micro-enterprises. This program aims to draw inspiration from major startup ecosystems around the world by organizing visits to innovation hubs, such as Shenzhen, where we explored the startup ecosystem.
My trip to China, particularly Shenzhen, through the ASEP program, was a rich and transformative experience. As the founder of Vandista, this immersion in one of the most advanced innovation ecosystems in the world allowed me to discover new perspectives, cutting-edge technologies, and partnership opportunities.
Shenzhen: A Boiling Ecosystem Shenzhen is often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of China,” and for good reason. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the city’s fast pace, where innovation and business intersect at every corner. Unlike the traditional image of a big city, Shenzhen is a hub where ideas are born and quickly transformed into tangible products. The city embodies an entrepreneurial energy where speed of execution is paramount.
I visited several tech hubs, including Imeakerbase, a state-of-the-art prototyping center. Here, startups can quickly turn their concepts into products thanks to cutting-edge equipment. This center also offers remote incubation possibilities, which is a great opportunity for African startups. Such infrastructure is crucial, and Africa would benefit from investing more in similar centers.
Innovation in Motion Beyond the infrastructure, what impressed me most in Shenzhen was the mentality. The Chinese entrepreneurs I spoke with are obsessed with continuous innovation. Startups do not just follow trends; they aim to create them. Artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and cloud technologies were central to every discussion. During my training at Huawei Cloud, I realized the strategic importance of adopting cloud solutions to improve my startup’s competitiveness.
The Strength of International Networks This trip paved the way for potential collaborations between Algerian and Chinese startups. Such cooperation is essential for enabling African startups to access resources, markets, and expertise that would accelerate their growth.
A Promising Future for Africa This stay convinced me that Africa, with its demographic and entrepreneurial dynamism, is perfectly positioned for exponential growth in the startup sector. However, it is crucial that we learn from ecosystems like Shenzhen’s, particularly regarding the speed of execution, the importance of continuous innovation, and investment in advanced technologies.
At Vandista, we will apply these lessons. We are currently exploring Huawei Cloud solutions to improve our platform’s efficiency, and we are working on developing international collaborations to accelerate our growth. Thanks to this program, I now have a clearer vision of the steps to follow to make my startup a key player in e-commerce and second-hand fashion, not only in Algeria but also internationally.
Inspire, Innovate, and Collaborate My experience in Shenzhen proved to me that Africa has the potential to compete with the world’s largest innovation hubs. For this to happen, it is essential that our young entrepreneurs adopt a continuous growth mindset, open themselves to international opportunities, and invest in future technologies.
The story of Shenzhen, which transformed from a simple fishing village into a global tech metropolis, should inspire us. We, African entrepreneurs, have the power to build the future. Africa is ready, and we just need to seize the opportunities before us. My ASEP trip from Algeria to China will forever be a cherished memory and will most certainly pave the way for a great future for Vandista.