Rafik Smati’s journey exemplifies the quintessential narrative of success and vision in France, a testament to the nation’s fertile ground for ambition and innovation, regardless of one’s origins.
Born in Algiers on July 9, 1975, Rafik’s life took a pivotal turn when he moved to France at the tender age of two. Settling in the suburbs of Paris, he grew up amidst the burgeoning skyline of La Défense, a sight that imbued him with a sense of dynamism and a forward-looking perspective towards France’s future.
Rafik’s academic prowess shone through early on, leading him to pursue a Scientific Baccalaureate. His thirst for knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit then guided him to the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Bordeaux, followed by Ecole Centrale Paris, prestigious institutions that honed his skills and broadened his horizons. At just 20, his potential was recognized by Prime Minister Alain Juppé, who invited him on an official trip to Canada, a gesture that underscored Rafik’s emerging stature.
The mid-1990s marked the dawn of Rafik’s entrepreneurial journey, a period when the internet was burgeoning with untapped potential. At 22, while still navigating his studies, Rafik launched his first digital venture, Dromadaire. His startup not only weathered the dot-com crisis but also flourished to become a global leader in digital greeting cards, eventually becoming the cornerstone of the Aventers group that Rafik founded and continues to lead. His enterprise has nurtured and employed hundreds, with a significant focus on empowering the youth.
Rafik’s personal life is as rich and diverse as his professional one. Married to Leïla, he is a devoted father to two sons, Caius and Octave. Rafik divides his time between Paris and the Provencal countryside, a region he adores. His interests span history, science, and geopolitics, disciplines that profoundly shape his worldview.
Rafik’s visionary stance extends beyond his business achievements. Having served as a local elected official in Hauts-de-Seine, he ventured into the realm of ideas, authoring several insightful essays. His debut work, “Towards a Feminine Capitalism” (2010), explored the intertwining of capitalism with feminine values, predicting economic upheavals, including a pandemic with the potential to trigger a significant economic shock within a decade. “In Praise of Speed: The Revenge of the Text Message Generation” (2011) delved into temporal dynamics and generational divides, while “Revolution Y: The Generation That Will Redraw Europe” anticipated seismic shifts in European balance. “French Paradise” (2013) envisioned France as a beacon for global innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. His latest work, “The New Era: Taking Back Control in the Age of AI,” published in November 2023, tackles the profound impact of artificial intelligence on society, offering strategies for navigating and mastering the complexities of a world increasingly shaped by AI.
Rafik’s foresight on issues often overlooked by political circles and public discourse has been remarkable. Early in the 2010s, he was among the first to prioritize artificial intelligence and the implications of automation on labor markets. Similarly, well before the 2015 attacks brought security concerns to the forefront, he advocated for bolstering military capabilities against emerging threats.
Rafik Smati’s biography is not just a narrative of personal success; it’s a blueprint for visionary leadership in the digital age, embodying the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines France’s potential on the global stage.