North Africa’s 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.
Morocco Holds Rates Steady Amid Global Uncertainty
Morocco’s central bank maintains its interest rate at 2.25%, citing steady inflation and job growth despite global uncertainty and water shortages.
Infrastructure: Egypt’s High-Speed Rail Network Nears Completion
Egypt’s high-speed rail and monorail projects reach 67% completion, connecting key cities, boosting tourism, and transforming national mobility by late 2025.
Extraction Without Value: Mali’s Role in the Global Lithium Rush
Mali’s first lithium mine shows how global demand for critical minerals can leave local communities behind. While China secures the raw materials it needs, Mali risks missing the chance to build jobs, industries, and real value at home.
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.
Turkey: Erdogan’s Winning Strategy in Africa
Despite the wave of coups d’état in West Africa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had close ties to the ousted regimes of Guinea, Mali, and Niger, has successfully protected his country’s interests in the region. He has done so through a strategy that combines drone diplomacy with business interests.