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Algeria Raises Minimum Wage and Jobless Benefits for 2026
Algeria has announced an increase in its national minimum wage, lifting it from 20,000 to 24,000 dinars per month starting in January 2026, alongside a rise in unemployment benefits from 15,000 to 18,000 dinars. The measures are presented as part of a broader effort to strengthen social protections and address rising living costs in a hydrocarbon‑dependent economy.
Algeria Rolls Out 5G Network with Six-Year Expansion Plan
Algeria has formally launched its 5G mobile network in Algiers, with licenses granted to the country’s three major carriers—Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo. Over a planned six‑year rollout, coverage will expand from priority regions to the rest of the country, supporting faster data speeds, low‑latency services, and new applications in sectors such as agriculture, urban management, and industry.
Algeria: 25 Executives Charged in Alleged Metals Fraud
The trial of 25 senior figures from Algeria’s state-run metals group Imetal, including former executives and public officials, is set to begin on November 24 in Algiers. The case involves allegations of large-scale corruption, public fund diversion, and favoritism in public contracts, exposing deeper risks of opaque management in Algerian state-run industries. Prosecutors say the scandal contributed to production losses and repeated breakdowns at strategic facilities.
Algeria: Salima Melizi’s Case Highlights Algeria’s Cultural Tensions
The recent detention and subsequent release of author and publisher Salima Melizi have unsettled Algeria’s literary community, bringing to light the continued pressures facing writers and intellectuals. The case, which did not begin with mainstream media coverage but instead spread through social networks and private discussion, has fueled debate over censorship, freedom of expression, and the increasing sense of caution within Algeria’s cultural scene.
Security Council Backs Morocco’s Plan for Western Sahara, Sets Out Negotiation Terms
The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution supporting Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara as the most feasible basis for future negotiations. The decision, initiated by the United States, passed with eleven members in favor, three abstentions from Russia, China, and Pakistan, and no participation from Algeria. The resolution renews the mandate of the UN mission (MINURSO) and calls for all parties to engage in talks without preconditions, though key disagreements on self-determination and final status remain.
Algerian Lawmakers Consider Stripping Citizenship from Nationals Abroad
Algeria’s parliament is reviewing a bill that would let the state revoke citizenship from nationals who commit acts deemed hostile to the country while living abroad. Critics warn the measure weaponizes national belonging and fuels distrust between the government and millions of Algerians living overseas, while lawmakers insist it will only affect severe threats to state security.
Algeria Widens Anti-Corruption Crackdown, From Trade Ministry to Waste Agency
A whistleblower case and an embezzlement probe have intensified scrutiny of Algeria’s government ministries amid an expanding anti-corruption campaign.
Algeria Pushes for Ambitious Cashless Economy by 2028
Algeria’s central bank has set a goal to phase out cash transactions completely by 2028, launching an ambitious strategy to expand digital payments and modernize the financial system. But with most Algerians relying on cash, skepticism remains over how quickly this transition will take place.
Algeria: Diphtheria Death Sparks Outbreak Fears in Skikda
Health authorities in Algeria’s Skikda province have confirmed a fatal case of diphtheria, triggering a high public health alert. The bacterial disease—once nearly eradicated—is resurging, with several serious infections reported.
France Signals a Thaw in Its Rift with Algeria
After months of diplomatic confrontation, France has taken steps to ease tensions with Algeria, directing its ambassador to attend a historic commemoration as a gesture of reconciliation. The move follows months of expulsions, sharp rhetoric, and disputes over migration and security, signaling Paris’s renewed interest in restoring dialogue with its former colony.
Algeria and Tunisia Expand Military Cooperation Amid Regional Security Tensions
Algeria and Tunisia signed a renewed defense cooperation agreement in Algiers on October 7, 2025, expanding their 2001 framework to include joint training, border operations, and intelligence exchange. The pact, confirmed by both defense ministries aims to strengthen coordination against terrorism, trafficking, and irregular migration along their shared frontier.
Algeria: Retailleau’s Departure Opens Door to a Possible Reset in France–Algeria Ties
The resignation of French interior minister Bruno Retailleau signals a critical turning point in France’s strained relationship with Algeria. The minister’s hardline stance on migration and security deepened mistrust between Paris and Algiers, freezing cooperation and diplomatic exchange. His departure removes a major obstacle to dialogue.
Sonatrach Signs $5.4 Billion Exploration Deal With Saudi Firm Midad Energy
Algeria’s Sonatrach has signed a $5.4 billion production-sharing contract with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy North Africa to explore and develop hydrocarbons in the Illizi Sud field, marking one of the country’s largest energy partnerships of 2025.
Algeria’s 2026 Budget Plan: Spending Rises with Emphasis on Salaries, Subsidies, and Investment
Algeria’s 2026 draft budget raises government spending above 17.6 trillion dinars, with a significant portion allocated to public salaries, subsidies for basic goods, and infrastructure investments. The plan anticipates 4.1% economic growth.
Algeria Plans Major Military Budget Increase for 2026
Algeria’s government is set to boost its military budget to historic levels in 2026, with over $24 billion earmarked for defense spending. This unprecedented increase, outlined in the country’s draft finance law, reflects Algeria’s aim to reinforce security amid regional instability and border threats. The new funding will prioritize modernizing military equipment and strengthening operational readiness, underscoring the military’s central role in national policy.
Algeria: Former Labor Minister Receives Prison Sentence for Role in Public Funds Misuse
An Algerian court sentenced former labor minister Hassen Tidjani Haddam to seven years in prison for embezzling nearly $45 million from the National Social Security Fund, as part of a wider anti-corruption campaign.
Algeria: Air Algérie Adds Over 100 Weekly Domestic Flights in Network Expansion
Air Algérie is expanding its domestic network with 84 new weekly flights and over 11,000 added seats, effective October 26, alongside 19 additional flights from its Domestic Airlines subsidiary.
Algeria’s E-Commerce Growth Signals New Phase for Regional Trade
Algeria’s e-commerce sector, now valued at $1.9 billion in 2025, is expanding rapidly with nearly 200,000 online merchants. Domestic platforms such as SINOBATIS, Colivraison, Superetti, and DECATHLON El Djazair are reshaping consumer habits, while challenges in logistics, trust, and regulation remain central to sustaining growth.
Sahel: Drone Incident Escalates Diplomatic Rift on Algeria–Mali Border
Tensions between Algeria and Mali have deepened after Algeria rejected International Court of Justice jurisdiction over a disputed drone incident, halting legal mediation. The standoff, marked by sharp exchanges at the UN and ongoing suspension of diplomatic ties, underscores mounting mistrust and risks to regional stability in the Sahel.
Spain Targets Bribery in Algerian Public Works Scandal
Spanish prosecutors seek major prison sentences and fines for politicians and business leaders accused of paying bribes to win Algerian public contracts in a decade-long corruption scandal.
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