North Africa’s Economy
Tunisia Shows Measured Economic Stabilization After Years of Strain
After several years of economic disruption, Tunisia recorded measurable signs of stabilization in 2025. Growth accelerated modestly, inflation eased, and key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and services supported the recovery. Improved financial indicators, including stronger foreign investment and higher reserves, contributed to cautious optimism. At the same time, structural constraints, employment pressures, and external uncertainty continue to limit the pace of expansion. As Tunisia enters 2026 with a higher growth target, the central question is whether recent gains can be sustained and translated into durable job creation and long-term economic resilience.
Egypt Anchors Its Energy Strategy With Long-Term Israeli Gas as Israel Weighs the Trade-Offs
Egypt’s long-term gas import agreement with Israel secures critical supply at a time of domestic energy strain and regional instability, reinforcing Cairo’s role as an Eastern Mediterranean gas hub while exposing both sides to strategic and political trade-offs.
Aviation: Ryanair Picks Rabat as New Low-Cost Aviation Hub
Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, plans to base aircraft in Rabat from 2026, positioning Morocco’s capital as a new entry point for European travelers and expanding air connectivity beyond traditional hubs.
Egypt Bets on Upstream Investment to Reverse Gas Production Decline
Egypt plans a major expansion of oil and gas exploration over the next five years as it seeks to stabilize natural gas output, restore export capacity, and integrate hydrocarbons into a broader energy transition strategy.
Business: As Relations With France Strain, Algeria Broadens Its Grain Suppliers
Algeria’s expanding wheat supplier list, including increased engagement with Canada, reflects a broader effort to reduce long-standing dependence on France as bilateral relations remain strained, turning food procurement into a quiet tool of economic recalibration.
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.