Algeria’s entrepreneurs face a hidden threat in the UAE’s role as a hub for sanctions-busting and dirty money The UAE has quietly become a magnet for three major global risks: sanctions evasion by regimes like Russia’s, forced labor tied to China’s Uyghur crackdown, and cross-border financial crime. For Algerian business founders and the diaspora—who rely … Read more
A Surge in Chinese EVs Exposes Algeria’s Transport Revolution Algeria’s electric vehicle (EV) market is exploding, with imports of Chinese-made electric motorcycles and three-wheelers surging 60% this year to $114.6 million, according to Africanews. The North African nation now ranks among the continent’s top importers, alongside Morocco and Egypt, as Chinese manufacturers flood the region … Read more
Oil & Gas: Sonatrach’s Diversification Under Pressure Second, geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea—where Iran claimed strikes on U.S. warships and oil tankers—disrupt global shipping routes critical for Algeria’s liquefied gas exports. A 2023 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows Algeria’s LNG shipments to Europe dropped 3.5% in Q1 2024 due to rerouting … Read more
SONATRACH’s oil tankers face ‘unprecedented delays’ The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned this week that attacks on shipping in the strait risk “grave consequences for global economic stability”, with 18% of the world’s seaborne oil passing through the narrow waterway. Algerian traders relying on Hormuz for imports—including wheat, fertilizers, and machinery—are already scrambling for alternatives. … Read more
Automotive industry revives with foreign investments DRB-Hicom, Malaysia’s automotive group, is evaluating a vehicle assembly plant in Algeria. The move responds to Algeria’s 2022 decree requiring 40% local content in car production. DRB-Hicom’s interest aligns with Morocco’s auto sector growth, but Algeria’s lower labor costs (€120/month vs. Morocco’s €250) may attract manufacturers. Foreign firms eye … Read more
Automotive Revival: Foreign Investors Bet on Algeria’s Assembly Lines Why it matters for entrepreneurs: – Supply chain spillover: Local parts suppliers (e.g., metalwork, electronics) will see demand rise. Example: A 2023 study by the Algerian Automotive Federation cited 30% of vehicle components currently imported. – Labor costs: Skilled automotive workers earn $400–$700/month—competitive with Morocco’s $350–$650 … Read more
Europe’s winter energy crisis is forcing a reckoning, and Algeria is seizing the moment. With Russian supplies cut and LNG prices volatile, the North African nation is positioning itself as a reliable gas supplier to Southern Europe—while also reshaping its own industrial ambitions. For Algerian entrepreneurs, exporters, and the diaspora, this shift isn’t just about … Read more
Macroeconomic reforms and foreign investment Uzbekistan’s delegation visited Algeria to discuss joint ventures in lithium extraction (Algeria holds 4% of global reserves) and geological surveys. Uzbekistan’s state-owned Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine has expressed interest in Algeria’s Tindouf and Béchar basins, where exploration licenses were awarded in 2023. The deal could unlock $1.2 billion in … Read more
Fiscal and Legal Shifts Favor Foreign Stakeholders Figures: Gara Djebilet holds an estimated 1.5 billion tonnes of high-grade iron ore. The finance law amendments reduce capital repatriation requirements for foreign investors from a previous 20-day window to 10 days. E-commerce Recovers Stolen Goods, Exposes Supply Chain Gaps Implication: Local e-commerce platforms report rising customer complaints … Read more
Hydrocarbons and regional energy flows Within Algeria, discussions on ownership versus control of hydrocarbons assets persisted as Sonatrach finalized a technical audit of its 2,300-km pipeline network. The audit, conducted over eight months at a cost of €12 million, identified 18 high-risk sections requiring reinforcement by 2027, with an estimated budget of €400 million. Sonatrach … Read more