economy upfront Bound

Algeria-France Trade Drops 23% with Import and Energy Curbs$

Trade between Algeria and France fell by roughly 23% in the year ending June 2026, dropping below €9 billion as import controls and political tensions reshape the relationship. Algeria’s tighter oversight of foreign purchases has sharply reduced French exports—particularly in food, automotive equipment, and industrial goods—while energy-driven exports to France also declined. The figures point to a broader shift as Algeria diversifies suppliers and reduces reliance on its former primary trading partner.

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OCP’s Sulfur Shock Exposes the Weak Link in Morocco’s Fertilizer Empire$

How a company thousands of miles from the Hormuz is feeling the squeeze as disruptions in the strait push up fertilizer, fuel, and freight costs across global supply chains. A distant geopolitical shock became a direct hit to OCP’s sulfur supplies and margins.

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Egypt joins China’s tariff-free initiative as Beijing opens its market to nearly all of Africa$

Egypt joined China’s expanded zero-tariff scheme on 1 May 2026, gaining duty-free access to the Chinese market alongside 52 other African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing. The move eliminates tariffs that previously ran from 8 to 30 percent on key Egyptian exports, though the arrangement is a two-year preferential window through April 2028 rather than a permanent deal, and non-tariff barriers like rules of origin and phytosanitary standards still apply.

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Energy: Africa’s LNG surging to global leverage$

Africa is no longer just a fallback option in liquefied natural gas. With Nigeria boosting capacity, Algeria reinforcing its role as a core supplier to Europe, and Mozambique building one of the world’s biggest LNG hubs, the continent is turning into a strategic supplier for Europe and Asia, offering both new volumes and shorter, more flexible delivery routes.

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