North Africa’s Economy
Algeria: Series of audits unveils dismal practices and secrecy in public fund management
Operating outside of the democratic principals and without any legitimacy, the various regimes that governed Algeria managed the state money without any transparency. Billions of dollars have been spent in projects that often never saw the light of day. Government...
Egypt: The business of money-pooling apps in Egypt
By Hager Harabech Cash-strapped Egyptians fearful of banks have long relied on a "gameya" to access money in time of need, but now tech startups are cashing in on the age-old money-pooling association. Navigating an app with strangers is "easier and safer" than the...
Organic farming in the Maghreb: Tunisia ahead, Morocco trails, Algeria is far behind
By Kaouther Larbi and Françoise Kadri Proudly displaying her freshly picked pomegranates, Tunisian farmer Sarah Shili says going organic is "the future of farming" -- and as demand surges in North Africa and beyond, the sector is blooming. Shili runs Domaine Elixir...
Business: Dahbia gets international recognition for excellence in olive oil
By Abdellah Cheballah Hakim Alileche left a successful career in graphic design and moved to the Algerian countryside to produce "magic potion" -- organic olive oil that has won him international recognition. The 48-year-old says he chose the Ain Oussera plateau for...
As Tunisia runs out of cash, president calls on people to pitch in, not in direct TV speech but in cabinet meeting
President Kais Saied urged Tunisians on Thursday to help replenish state coffers and overcome the country's financial crisis. "I call on Tunisians both in Tunisia and abroad to find the necessary funds," he said at a cabinet meeting. He did not give details of how...
North Africa’s skilled workers looking to leave their countries in droves
Subscriber access: Algeria is experiencing a mass exodus of medical doctors and other skilled professionals, challenging its efforts to contain the Covid-19 crisis and deal with the other emerging crises. The public sector is the most affected, with doctors, nurses...
Egypt: Access toll on Suez Canal increases by 6%
Egypt's Suez Canal Authority said Thursday it will hike transit tolls on the key waterway by six percent, after netting record revenues last tax year even amid the coronavirus pandemic. The new fees will come into place from February 2022, but tourist vessels and...
Algeria to halt gas exports to Spain via Morocco
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday ordered state energy firm Sonatrach to halt gas exports to Spain through a pipeline that traverses Morocco due to tensions with Rabat. Algeria, Africa's biggest natural gas exporter, has been using the...
Elusive peace: Libyan militias damage only functioning oil refinery during violent clash
Libya's only operational oil refinery was "severely" damaged after gunmen battled for three hours around the complex, the National Oil Corporation said. "The Zawiya Oil Complex was severely damaged as a result of skirmishes by armed groups," Libya's state oil company...
Morocco: Public investment to consumer $27 billion next year
Morocco will spend a record 23 billion euros ($27 billion) on public investment in the coming year to right an economy shaken by the coronavirus pandemic, the economy minister announced on Tuesday. The government is planning to "mobilise public investment of 245...