Weekly trends
Oil prices fell, raising concerns about 2026 revenue. The government waived IPO fees for startups until 2028. Opel confirmed plans for local vehicle production. Algeria launched a new oil bid round for seven blocks.
Foreign investment increased in energy and manufacturing. Germany signed hydrogen supply agreements. Cevital announced a $600 million sugar beet project. Flat6Labs and IFC launched StartAlgeria, a startup incubator program.
Digital payments and e-commerce growth
Ooredoo’s 5G network now covers all 58 provinces. The expansion follows a $1.2 billion investment announced in 2023. Mobile internet penetration reached 68% in Q1 2025, up from 62% in 2023.
Yassir, Algeria’s mobility unicorn, lost its top valuation ranking in Africa. Moove, a Nigerian competitor, reached $2.1 billion. Yassir’s valuation remains undisclosed but is estimated below $1.8 billion. The company partnered with Huawei to accelerate digital transformation in Algeria.
Energy sector adjustments
Opel confirmed plans to produce vehicles and engines locally. The project involves a $300 million investment. Production will start in 2027, targeting 50,000 units annually. Algeria’s automotive sector currently imports 90% of its vehicles.
Germany signed a hydrogen supply agreement with Algeria. The deal includes a $2.5 billion investment in green hydrogen production. Algeria aims to export 40 terawatt-hours of hydrogen to Europe by 2030. A third tire plant, funded by a $150 million Chinese investment, broke ground in Oran.
Startup incentives and business creation
Flat6Labs and IFC launched StartAlgeria, a $10 million incubator program. The initiative will fund 50 startups over three years. Lisk, a blockchain firm, announced a $15 million fund for Web3 startups in Algeria.
Yalidine secured $20 million in Series B funding. The company operates in 45 cities and employs 1,500 people. Algeria’s e-commerce market grew 35% in 2024, reaching $1.8 billion in transactions.
Foreign investment and trade expansion
Cevital, owned by Algeria’s richest man Issad Rebrab, launched a $600 million sugar beet project. The facility will produce 400,000 tons annually, reducing imports by 60%. Algeria currently imports 1.2 million tons of sugar per year.
Spain and Algeria restored diplomatic relations after a two-year rupture. Trade between the two countries reached $8.5 billion in 2024, up from $6.2 billion in 2022. Algeria supplies 25% of Spain’s natural gas.
Regulatory and fiscal environment
The 2023 Investment Climate Statement noted improvements in business registration times. The average time to start a business dropped from 21 days in 2022 to 14 days in 2024. However, foreign ownership restrictions remain in 15 sectors, including energy and telecommunications.
Algeria’s fiscal deficit widened to 8.5% of GDP in 2024. Public debt reached 52% of GDP, up from 48% in 2023. The government introduced a 1% digital tax on e-commerce transactions in January 2025.
Infrastructure and regional dynamics
Algeria and Morocco’s rivalry influenced Europe’s North Africa policy. The EU allocated €1.2 billion to Algeria for energy and migration projects in 2024. Algeria replaced 15% of Russia’s gas supplies to Europe in 2023.
Algeria’s energy strategy now includes solar and wind projects. The country aims to generate 22 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. Current capacity stands at 500 megawatts.
Week’s highlights
Key takeaway for entrepreneurs
💡 Starting a business in Algeria? GlobalStart guides you step by step: procedures, real costs, company forms (SARL, EURL, SPA) and CNRC registration.