Algerian writer Kaddour M’Hamsi, often called the “Voltaire of the Arabs,” remains jailed in Algiers as French intellectuals rally behind him. M’Hamsi, 68, a novelist and playwright known for sharp critiques of power, was arrested after publishing The Last Sultan, a satire that mocks Algerian officials. His trial opened in Algiers last month under Article … Read more
Algeria’s policy shifts: cybersecurity, climate strain and the limits of reform Algeria’s government this week unveiled three major policy moves. The first was the adoption of a 2025–2029 national cybersecurity strategy focused on vocational training. The second was a cabinet-level push for regional irrigation cooperation amid worsening drought. The third was constitutional amendments reinforcing Berber … Read more
Algeria has adopted a more pragmatic stance in recent negotiations with European partners on energy and economic cooperation, according to APAnews – Agence de Presse Africaine. This shift comes as Algiers seeks to balance long-standing ties with its traditional markets while adapting to fast-changing global energy dynamics. The move reflects Algeria’s strategy to diversify its … Read more
Algeria’s government recently issued the country’s first sovereign Sukuk, raising $2.3 billion to reduce pressure on public finances and accelerate social housing programs. The transaction, led by the Ministry of Finance under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, marks a shift from conventional debt to Islamic finance instruments aimed at tapping into local and diaspora liquidity while complying … Read more
Education reform fails to translate into employment Algeria’s education sector produced 42% more higher education graduates in 2023 than in 2018, but female labor force participation remains at 15.8%, according to government data. The mismatch is most pronounced in STEM fields, where 58% of graduates are women but only 9% hold technical sector jobs. The … Read more
In 1971 Algeria launched the Green Dam, a 1,500 km belt of trees stretching 20 km wide across the northern Sahara designed to halt desertification according to The Times of India. The project was the centrepiece of an anti-desertification strategy intended to anchor dunes and reduce dust storms that reach populated cities in the north. … Read more
The Algerian government has quietly revolutionized how local businesses transfer shares in strategic sectors. In January 2026, EY reported Algeria’s new requirement: any company operating in banking, hydrocarbons, or defense must obtain state authorization before selling equity to foreign individuals or entities. This rule replaces a previous system where foreign investors faced opaque approval processes … Read more
Algeria’s Cities: Megaprojects and the Digital Future This week, Algeria’s urban agenda advanced with the inauguration of major infrastructure projects in Algiers, reinforcing the government’s push toward smart city development. The initiatives, overseen by the president, align with broader goals of reducing poverty and fostering sustainability through digital integration. Smart city programs in Algeria have … Read more
Trade talks between the European Commission and Algeria hit a snag this month when unresolved frictions blocked scheduled negotiations in Brussels on 17 June 2026, according to Africa Intelligence. Officials from both sides had convened with the aim of updating the 2005 EU-Algeria Association Agreement, but the meeting was postponed after Algeria refused to lift … Read more
In 2019, Algeria became the first Arab and African country to sign a cooperation agreement with INTERPOL and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to combat match-fixing and doping in sports. The memorandum, unveiled during the 2019 INTERPOL World Congress in Singapore, established a national sports integrity unit tasked with monitoring competitions across football, handball, athletics … Read more