Algeria: Sakina Benabdelkader, a biologist expert in medicinal plants

Sakina Benabdelkader is an Algerian biologist specialized in medicinal plants. She created the project « Ibn El-Bitar » for the development of natural resources in medicinal and aromatic plants in Algeria. In January 2021, she won the “Silencing the Climate crisis” Award by the African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Youth for this initiative.

Sakina Bendabdelkader is a biologist passionate about medicinal plants. She holds diplomas in food science, biological analysis and quality control from Abou Bekr Belkaid University in Algeria. It was during the preparation of her master and engineering theses in the phytochemistry laboratory that she discovered the value of medicinal plants. After her master’s degree in 2013, she followed several training courses on the valorization of medicinal plants. At the same time, she trained in entrepreneurship under the direction of the Algerian government in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Then, she launched the project “Ibn El-Bitar” whose objective is to develop medicinal and aromatic plants. But above all to manufacture bio natural products based on these plants.

Through her project, the young scientist aims to solve the problem of premature ageing triggered by oxidative stress within the human cell and which leads to numerous diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, cancers… An oxidation which is caused by “free radicals” coming from preservatives, colouring flavours, overconsumption of drugs, emotional stress. Through her project, she promotes the manufacture of bio natural products based on medicinal plants that are very rich in natural antioxidants and have the capacity to trap free radicals and stop the onset of oxidation reactions and their propagation. 

She won several awards thanks to her project. Her initiative was crowned “Best Idea” in 2016 in the region by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry “SAOURA” in Algeria. In 2017, she was named best woman entrepreneur in Algeria by the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family and Status of Women. Ambassador of the Next Einstein Forum (NEF) aiming to promote science in Africa in Algeria, she was awarded in January 2021 the international prize “Silencing climate crisis” by the African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Youth. She is also a member of several organisations and foundations that promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, youth and women in science, innovation, among others: Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs, Young Professionals for agricultural development, Young African Leaders Initiative, The IUCN SSC Medicinal Plant Specialist Group…