Weekly trends
Digital infrastructure: 5G and FTTH expansion
FTTH subscriptions rose 22% year-on-year to 1.8 million in Q1 2026. Download speeds averaged 300 Mbps in Algiers, up from 120 Mbps in 2023. Latency dropped to 15 ms in 5G zones. Businesses in e-commerce, fintech, and remote services report reduced downtime. Cloud computing adoption grew 14% in 2025.
Energy: Oil production and OPEC quotas
Natural gas exports totalled 52 billion cubic metres in 2025, down 3% from 2024. Europe accounted for 85% of LNG shipments. Algeria remains Europe’s third-largest gas supplier after Norway and Russia. Prices averaged $12.50 per MMBtu in Q1 2026, stable year-on-year.
Pharmaceuticals and healthcare: Local production and foreign partnerships
Construction began on the Algerian-Qatari-German hospital in Algiers. The $1.2 billion project includes 1,200 beds and 30 operating theatres. Completion is scheduled for 2029. Qatar Investment Authority and German firm Fresenius SE are co-investors. The hospital will employ 3,500 staff.
Agriculture and food processing: Sugar beet and trade expansion
State trader MADAR signed agreements to import bananas and coffee from Cameroon. Algeria imported $120 million worth of bananas in 2025. MADAR will invest $50 million in Cameroonian farms. The deal includes training for Algerian agronomists.
Real estate and financial reforms
The government approved a $1.5 billion fund for affordable housing. The programme targets 50,000 units annually. Mortgage interest rates fell to 5% for first-time buyers. Banks reported a 17% increase in home loan applications in Q1 2026.
Transport: Metro expansion and logistics
Port of Algiers handled 1.2 million TEUs in 2025, a 9% increase from 2024. The port authority announced a $300 million upgrade to increase capacity to 2 million TEUs by 2030. Truck turnaround times fell to 48 hours from 72 hours in 2023.
Tourism and culture: International recognition
The 15th International Symphonic Music Festival in Algiers attracted 50,000 attendees. Ticket sales generated $1.2 million. The Oran Arab Film Festival screened 80 films from 20 countries. Algeria’s tourism revenue reached $1.8 billion in 2025, up 12% year-on-year.
Civil society and political environment
Tunisia extradited Algerian refugee Slimane Bouhafs to Algeria. Bouhafs, a former political prisoner, had refugee status. The UN called the extradition a violation of international law. Algeria’s government did not comment.
Women’s rights: Legal framework and implementation gaps
Women’s labour force participation reached 28% in 2026, up from 22% in 2020. The government set a 35% target by 2030. Female entrepreneurs accounted for 18% of new business registrations in 2025. Banks reported a 25% increase in loans to women-led SMEs.
Week’s balance
Key takeaway for entrepreneurs
Algeria’s FTTH and 5G networks reduce latency for digital businesses. State-backed projects in sugar and insulin offer supply chain opportunities. Real estate reforms ease foreign exchange controls for developers. Tourism growth increases demand for hospitality services. Regulatory risks persist in civil society and political spheres.
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