North Africa’s Economy
Algeria’s Parallel Currency Market Surges, Puts Pressure on the Dinar
The euro and the US dollar are trading at record levels on Algeria’s parallel currency market, widening the gap with official rates to more than 100%.
Business: Chinese Logistics Platform Scouts Tunisia As Africa Gateway
Chinese state-linked logistics and trade group Wuhan Yangluo Port Services is assessing projects in Tunisia, with a focus on upgrading trade-related institutions and using the country as a potential platform for reaching African markets, signaling a move from exploratory visits toward more concrete scoping of regional logistics roles.
EU–Morocco Tomato Dispute Deepens Over Western Sahara Labeling
A new agricultural agreement between Morocco and the European Union has ignited a tense dispute over tomato imports, origin labeling, and Western Sahara. European farmer groups accuse Moroccan exporters of unfair competition and misuse of labeling rules, while Moroccan producers argue that they are simply meeting a growing EU demand that local producers cannot fully supply.
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.
Tunisia: Wage Dispute Triggers Widespread Bank Shutdowns in Tunisia
A nationwide banking strike in Tunisia has halted operations across major institutions as employees protest falling living standards and demand wage hikes
Morocco: Drought Pressure Threatens 2025-26 Farming Season
Repeated drought and water shortages continue to strain Morocco’s agriculture sector, raising urgent concerns about food security. Despite recent investments in large dams, groundwater development, and desalination, below-average rainfall and shrinking storage reservoirs are disrupting both urban and rural water supplies. Farmers and rural communities are particularly vulnerable as planning for the 2025-26 season remains clouded by uncertainty over much-needed rain.
Tunisia: Economic Pressures Erode Household Purchasing Power
A Fitch Solutions report published in October 2025 finds that the average Tunisian household’s purchasing power has declined by 11.1% since 2019, with real incomes struggling to keep pace with inflation and economic growth. The report notes that while consumption continues to rise, it outpaces GDP growth and savings, deepening the country’s structural economic challenges.
Egypt Pegs its Power Supply to New Israeli Gas Imports
Egypt’s government has finalized a new multi-billion dollar contract to import natural gas from Israel, aiming to address domestic shortages that have led to rolling blackouts across the country.