Algeria’s week – energy, jobs, rights and diaspora

Energy and land: solar farms, gas pipelines, disputed borders

Moroccan farmers from the Guerguerat region staged protests at the Algerian border. They claim 15,000 hectares of grazing land, now inside Algerian-controlled territory since the 2021 border closure. Algeria has not responded.

The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project resurfaced. Algeria, Nigeria and Niger signed a memorandum in Abuja in July 2024. The 4,128 km pipeline would carry 30 billion cubic metres of gas per year to Europe. Algeria’s state-owned Sonatrach holds 51% of the project. Feasibility studies estimate a 2030 completion date. Cost: $13 billion.

Algeria’s Western Mining Railway, a 1,050 km line linking Tindouf to Bechar, entered its final phase. The line will transport 15 million tonnes of iron ore annually from Gara Djebilet to the port of Ghazaouet. First trains expected in 2026. The railway connects to the existing Oran-Bechar line, opening access to West African markets.

Industrial output: cars, pipes, air conditioners

Condor Electronics, owned by billionaire Abderrahmane Benhamadi, signed a €40 million deal with German pipe manufacturer Uponor. The agreement covers the supply of 12,000 tonnes of polyethylene pipes for European markets. Condor’s factory in Sétif has a capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year.

Algeria’s air conditioner factory in Sidi Bel Abbès, operated by the state-owned ENIE, secured a 250,000-unit order from European distributors. The plant produces 500,000 units annually, 60% for export. ENIE reports a 30% increase in orders since 2022.

Youth employment: precarity, digital jobs, women’s labour

A study by the Algerian Centre for Economic Research found that 68% of Algerian women in digital jobs work as freelancers. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr report a 220% increase in Algerian female freelancers since 2020. Median income: $350 per month, below the national minimum wage of $200.

The Ministry of Labour launched a reskilling programme for 50,000 unemployed graduates. Target sectors: renewable energy, IT and agribusiness. Budget: 12 billion DZD (€80 million).

Diaspora and returns: France, Tunisia, legal risks

Tunisian authorities abducted Algerian refugee Slimane Bouhafs in Tunis on 25 August. Bouhafs, a Hirak activist, was rendered to Algeria within 48 hours. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees confirmed his refugee status. Algeria’s Ministry of Justice charged him with “undermining national unity.”

Algeria’s Bar Association reported a crackdown on lawyers defending Hirak activists. Since 2021, 45 lawyers have faced disciplinary proceedings. 12 have been disbarred.

Human rights: Hirak, disappearances, deportations

UN experts issued a statement on Algeria’s disappeared. The Working Group on Enforced Disappearances documented 3,000 cases since 1992. Families of the disappeared staged a sit-in in Algiers on 30 August. Police dispersed the gathering.

Algerian authorities deported activist Nassera Dutour on 2 September. Dutour, a French-Algerian dual national, was detained upon arrival in Algiers. She leads the Collective of Families of the Disappeared in Algeria. France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a protest note.

Regional diplomacy: US-Iran, Middle East axis, World Cup

Algeria’s foreign policy remains non-aligned. It maintains diplomatic relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Algeria’s defence budget increased by 12% in 2024, reaching $10.5 billion. The country ranks 25th globally in military expenditure.

Algerian and Argentinian football fans clashed in Times Square, New York, on 1 September. The incident occurred ahead of their World Cup 2026 Group J opener. New York Police Department reported 18 arrests. Algeria’s Ministry of Youth and Sports issued a statement urging fans to “respect public order.”

Archaeology and tourism: Timgad, Hippo, Thamugadi

The ruins of Timgad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, received 120,000 visitors in 2023. The site, known as the “African Pompeii,” was buried under Sahara sands for centuries. Algeria’s Ministry of Culture allocated 500 million DZD (€3.3 million) for restoration in 2024.

Thamugadi, a Roman outpost in Batna, was preserved by the Sahara’s dry climate. The site includes a 3,500-seat theatre and a library. Algeria’s National Office of Tourism reports a 40% increase in foreign visitors to Roman sites since 2022.

Balance of the week

Key takeaway for entrepreneurs
Algeria’s industrial output is diversifying beyond hydrocarbons. Local content requirements in car manufacturing and pipe production create opportunities for SMEs. The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Western Mining Railway will open new export routes. Digital freelancing offers a low-barrier entry for young Algerians, particularly women. Political risks remain for diaspora investors.