Algeria’s week: oil, English tests and desalination push

Economic signals: Oil, gas and foreign investment

In related infrastructure, Sonatrach’s desalination initiative, led by its newly formed Desalination Division, aims to add 1.2 million cubic meters per day of treated water capacity by 2030. Three new plants are under construction in Oran, Mostaganem and Béchar, with a combined investment of $1.8 billion. The program targets industrial users first, with eventual expansion to agricultural zones in the Hauts Plateaux.

Youth and education: English language shift accelerates

Logistical hurdles remain. A survey of 80 pilot schools found that 60% lack sufficient English-teaching materials, while only 30% have teachers with TOEFL scores above 70. The government has allocated $8 million for textbooks and training, but distribution delays persist. The program’s budget for 2025 is $22 million, including $7 million for digital platforms.

Human rights and international positioning

Separately, writer Boualem Sansal was pardoned and released from prison after serving 14 months of a two-year sentence for “offending state institutions.” Sansal, 74, was arrested in August 2023 following public criticism of government policies. His release was confirmed by Algeria’s Ministry of Justice on Wednesday.

Counterterrorism: Persistent threats in the mountains

The operation followed a June 2024 assessment by the US State Department, which noted that AQIM “remains active but operationally degraded,” with an estimated 200–300 members remaining. Algeria’s counterterrorism budget for 2025 is $420 million, unchanged from 2024.

Algerian diaspora and community news

Separately, the Algerian Consulate in Montreal announced an expansion of its consular services to include online appointment scheduling for citizenship applications, effective January 2025. The move aims to reduce in-person wait times, which have averaged 18 weeks since 2023.

Football: Transfer restrictions and infrastructure plans

RB Leipzig denied reports linking them to Algerian striker Mohamed Amoura, currently at Al-Ahly SC. FAF sources indicated that Amoura’s release clause is set at €12 million, a figure Leipzig deemed “unaffordable” under current budget constraints. The denial follows FAF’s decision to cap foreign player salaries at $80,000 per season for 2025, down from $120,000 in 2024.

In transportation, Algeria’s KC2026 transportation plan entered its fourth test phase ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Austria. The tests focus on the Algiers-Oran high-speed rail link, with a scheduled completion date of December 2025. The project’s budget is $3.2 billion, funded by a $2 billion loan from China Development Bank and a $1.2 billion Algerian state contribution.

Water security: Desalination dominates infrastructure agenda

The program aligns with Algeria’s 2030 water strategy, which aims to reduce groundwater extraction by 30% and increase desalination share to 25% of total water supply. Current desalination capacity stands at 800,000 cubic meters per day, with an additional 1.2 million cubic meters planned by 2030.

Tourism and hospitality: Legal crackdowns and investment drives

On the investment front, QGIRCO, a Qatari real estate developer, confirmed the launch of a $1.4 billion hospitality project in Algiers. The complex includes a 500-room hotel, a conference center with 2,000 seats, and a retail zone spanning 80,000 square meters. Construction is scheduled to begin in Q2 2025, with completion expected in 2028.

Separately, Algeria’s tourism ministry announced a target of 2.5 million international visitors in 2025, up from 1.8 million in 2024. The plan includes a $300 million marketing campaign focused on European markets, particularly France and Germany.

Climate and food security: Forest fires and demographic trends

In a separate report, the High Commission for Planning (HCP) projected a 15% decline in Algeria’s fertility rate between 2020 and 2030, from 2.9 to 2.4 children per woman. The trend, shared with Morocco and Tunisia, is expected to reduce the working-age population by 1.2 million by 2030. The report highlights potential labor shortages in agriculture and construction sectors, which currently employ 22% and 15% of the workforce, respectively.

Key takeaway for entrepreneurs:
The week’s announcements reinforce Algeria’s focus on water security and hydrocarbons, with $4.6 billion in desalination investments and new oil and gas finds. For foreign entrepreneurs, opportunities in desalination technology and industrial water supply are immediate, while the English-language education pilot may create demand for EdTech solutions. The football transfer ban and salary cap could impact sports-related ventures, particularly those targeting Algerian clubs or players.