Algeria’s state hydrocarbons firm SONATRACH has opened the door to foreign investors in its 2026 licensing round, offering 30 exploration blocks across the Berkine, Illizi, and Ahnet basins. According to a circular published by the Ministry of Energy and Mines in February 2026, the round includes 12 onshore conventional blocks, 10 unconventional (shale) blocks, and … Read more
Algeria’s economic activity this week centered on three axes: capital injection into early-stage firms, foreign industrial commitments, and water security agreements. Startup incubators received new funding. Opel confirmed plans for local vehicle production. Libya and Algeria signed a water cooperation roadmap. The government launched a nationwide digital skills program. Germany advanced hydrogen supply talks. Entrepreneurs … 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 and Chinese solar giant LONGi are finalising an industrial partnership that will anchor the country’s first integrated solar-panel factory in the Hauts Plateaux region, according to recent statements by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies. The agreement, still under confidentiality, is expected to be signed before the end of 2025 and will … Read more
Digital integration and compliance pressure Entrepreneurs face new compliance costs. Firms must update internal systems to track production volumes, raw material inputs and storage locations. The CNRC’s digital tax integration will link commercial registries to the tax authority’s database. This reduces manual filings but increases transparency risks for informal operators. Investment partnerships and skepticism Investor … 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
Algeria will launch a new oil bid round in April 2026 for seven exploration blocks, according to Oil & Gas Middle East. The tender, announced by state-owned SONATRACH, marks the first major licensing opportunity since the 2022 Hydrocarbons Law relaxed foreign investment rules in the sector. The blocks span the Berkine, Illizi, and Timimoun basins, … Read more
Weekly trends: funding slows, regulation tightens, foreign capital advances Startup funding: concentration and caution For Algerian founders, the funding environment remains constrained. Regional data shows 70% of MENA startup capital in 2024 went to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Algeria’s share was below 2%. The StartAlgeria program does not guarantee direct investment but offers … Read more
Algeria has joined AfriLabs, the continent’s largest network of technology and innovation hubs, as the organisation expands its North African investment bridge. According to Tech Build Africa, the move positions Algerian startups and entrepreneurs within a 600-hub ecosystem spanning 53 African countries and 16 diaspora locations in Europe and North America. AfriLabs, founded in 2011, … Read more
Algeria has eliminated initial public offering (IPO) fees for startups until 2028, a move aimed at boosting capital access for early-stage companies. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Finance in early February 2026, removes a financial barrier that has long discouraged small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from listing on the Algiers Stock Exchange (SGBV). … Read more