Defense and public finance: A spending gamble with economic trade-offs Algeria’s defense budget remains one of the most aggressive in Africa, consuming a disproportionate share of public funds. In 2025, the country allocated the second-highest percentage of its spending to arms purchases, trailing only Ukraine. This reflects a long-standing priority rooted in regional tensions, particularly … Read more
The United States is considering tightening trade restrictions on Algeria, a move that could disrupt small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. According to a recent analysis by Manara Magazine, US policymakers are debating whether to reduce trade ties with Algeria, citing its strategic distance as a potential advantage. While the proposal remains under … Read more
Algeria’s commercial banks are tightening lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to a recent report by The Banker magazine. The publication, which cited unnamed senior executives within Algeria’s banking sector, warned that the squeeze is likely to persist as lenders prioritize risk management over growth. For entrepreneurs across sectors from tech startups in … Read more
Algeria’s national push into artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping how small and medium-sized enterprises operate, offering entrepreneurs new digital pathways to cut costs and reach customers. In late May 2026, the government approved the launch of the Dzair Digital Services Portal, a platform designed to connect Algerian SMEs with AI-driven tools for accounting, customer service … Read more
Algeria’s National Organisation of Mujahidin (ONM) has quietly expanded its influence beyond its original mandate as a veterans’ group. Today, it operates as a semi-autonomous financial powerhouse, directing substantial resources toward small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. The organisation’s funding mechanisms—grants, low-interest loans, and in-kind support—now rival those of the state, reshaping the … Read more
Algeria’s government has spent the last three years rolling out a series of support programs aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The flagship initiative, the National Fund for SME Promotion (Fonds National de Promotion des PME, FNPME), was launched in 2021 with a budget of 100 billion Algerian dinars (approximately $740 million at the … Read more
Nigeria and Morocco have formally approached the United States for financial backing to build a 5,600-kilometre offshore pipeline that would carry Nigerian gas across 13 West African nations to Morocco and onward to Europe. According to African Business, the request was submitted in May 2026 and targets US development agencies and private-sector lenders. The project, … Read more
Recent research published by the University of Pennsylvania, detailed in Penn Today, examines how colonial-era welfare policies in Algeria shaped the country’s post-independence economic structures. The study, led by historian Jennifer Johnson, focuses on French colonial welfare programs introduced between 1945 and 1962, particularly in urban centers like Algiers and Oran. These programs, originally designed … Read more
Algeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the energy sector have gained a new financial ally. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has allocated fresh funding to support energy development projects in the country, according to Africa Business Communities. While the exact amount remains undisclosed, the move marks a strategic shift toward export-oriented SMEs, particularly those … Read more
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has approved a $200 million facility to support the Shoreline Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) project in Algeria, according to World Oil. The financing, announced on 21 July 2026, targets a project that will strengthen Algeria’s export-oriented infrastructure while creating opportunities for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The facility … Read more