Briefs Bound

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.

Algeria’s government is set to boost its military budget to historic levels in 2026, with over $24 billion earmarked for defense spending. This unprecedented increase, outlined in the country’s draft finance law, reflects Algeria’s aim to reinforce security amid regional instability and border threats. The new funding will prioritize modernizing military equipment and strengthening operational readiness, underscoring the military’s central role in national policy.

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 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.