North Africa’s Economy
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.
Tunisian SMEs Warn of Economic Paralysis Over 20% Bank Guarantee Rule
Tunisian SMEs say a new rule requiring a 20% bank guarantee for service contracts risks shutting them out of the market and harming the country’s business climate, with experts urging the government to revise the measure.
Morocco Boosts Russian Oil Imports Despite Sanctions
Morocco imported 188,000 tonnes of Russian petroleum in August—a jump of more than 50,000 tonnes from July—despite international sanctions, highlighting shifting energy trade across North Africa.
Tunisia: Diaspora Funds Provide Lifeline for Tunisia’s Economy
Tunisians abroad sent home 6.5 billion dinars (about $2.05 billion USD) by September 2025, with remittances providing a crucial source of stable income and foreign currency for the national economy.
Northwest Africa’s Fishing Crisis Intensifies
Factories that once hummed with activity along Mauritania’s Atlantic coast now stand silent, their doors shut as fish stocks plunge and communities struggle to adapt. In Morocco, the warning signs are just as stark—sardine landings in key southern ports have nearly halved, and locals worry that they might soon face the same fate as their neighbors to the south.
Niger: Arbitration Tribunal Sides With Orano on Uranium Stock, Escalating Niger Dispute
An international tribunal has ruled Niger must stop selling or transferring uranium produced by Somaïr, as French firm Orano claims rights to stockpiled material after the mine’s nationalization. The September 23 ICSID order temporarily freezes the disputed uranium assets until the legal case is resolved.
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.
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.