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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.
Algeria Rebounds as Spain’s Primary Gas Supplier as Bilateral Trade Spikes
Algeria has reclaimed its position as Spain’s leading natural gas supplier, with bilateral trade surging after a two-year diplomatic freeze. This economic rebound highlights the strategic importance of the energy link that endured despite significant political tensions.
French President Wants to Suspend Visa-Free Travel for Algerian Diplomats
French President Emmanuel Macron has requested that the government suspend visa exemptions for Algerian diplomatic and official passport holders. This move, detailed in a letter to Prime Minister François Bayrou, is a response to growing diplomatic tensions between...
Algeria Officially Joins ASEAN
Algeria just made a big splash on the global stage, officially joining ASEAN as a partner (What is Asean: An Explainer). The North African nation is essentially hitting the reset button on its foreign policy, shifting its gaze from its usual European and Mediterranean...
Sahel: Russia Replaces Wagner in Mali Under Pressure from Algeria, Touaregs Brace
With Wagner stepping aside, the Africa Corps is moving in, bringing structure and legitimacy to Moscow’s support for Bamako. Touareg leaders, fearing a more efficient and state-backed force, have begun testing quiet understandings with jihadist factions like GSIM. It’s not a formal alliance, but a sign of growing desperation in a region where alliances shift quickly and survival often overrides ideology.
Algeria Cuts French Imports in Bid for Self-Sufficiency and Diversification
France once held a firm place in Algeria’s food supply chain, from wheat fields in Burgundy to cattle farms in the Auvergne. But over the past year, that connection has weakened. Quietly but steadily, Algeria has stopped importing key French agricultural products—first wheat, then young cattle—while looking elsewhere to meet its needs.
Algeria Confirms Gold and Marble Reserves, Signals Opening of Mining Sector to Foreign Investment
Algeria updates gold and marble reserve figures and plans to ease foreign investment rules in mining.
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