Becoming a maritime hub on the Mediterranean Sea is a key priority for Algeria, as it competes with Southern Europe’s main ports – namely, Valencia and Algeciras in Spain, and Gioia Tauro in Italy – and especially with Morocco’s Tanger Med port. To do so, the government is allocating funds to construct a deepwater port to ensure sufficient capacity to accommodate large cargo ships,…
A major transformation of Algeria’s IT landscape has taken place following the arrival of 3G and 4G technologies, with the country’s internet penetration rate jumping rapidly from 25.6% in 2014 to 71.2% by the end of 2016. In contrast to cuts in budgetary spending, the increased prevalence of integrated digital operations has helped reduce operational costs and improve efficiency for many…
For many years Algeria hosted only a small number of hotels operated by international chains, with options limited to a handful of establishments, even in the capital. However this has been changing in recent years, with a substantial number of branded facilities having been opened in Algiers and beyond, making for a promising outlook in the sector. French Pioneer The recent wave of openings…
The collapse in global oil prices has caused international interest in exploration and production (E&P) activities to slow down. Yet, Algeria has maintained its determination to boost its hydrocarbons sector, with plans targeting an increase in oil and gas output by 14% and 13%, respectively, by 2019. To keep up the momentum in the face of declining foreign interest, state-owned oil and…
Internet and mobile banking in Algeria are still in the early stages of development, but market observers see these technologies as having great potential to improve financial inclusion if the relevant legal, regulatory and logistical frameworks are put in place. E-Payments In October 2016, 11 banks and nine companies participated in the launch of Algeria’s first e-payment service.…
The shadow of Algeria’s civil conflict in the 1990s and the authorities’ subsequent reluctance to be seen as empowering political Islam has delayed domestic growth in sharia-compliant finance. Further, the economic slowdown brought on by weak oil prices has been a big factor behind the drying up of liquidity in the banking system. In turn, this has encouraged the government to explore alternative…
As the Algerian state looks to tighten spending in the face of declining revenues resulting from the fall in oil prices, plans to curb the country’s import bill have become more pressing than ever. Imports have met with increased scrutiny, and in an attempt to promote local production, a rising number of goods are now subject to quota restrictions and tax hikes. Rise Of The Mega-Farm To…
The collapse in global oil prices has caused international interest in exploration and production (E&P) activities to slow down. Yet, Algeria has maintained its determination to boost its hydrocarbons sector, with plans targeting an increase in oil and gas output by 14% and 13%, respectively, by 2019. To keep up the momentum in the face of declining foreign interest, state-owned oil and…
Faced with dwindling oil and gas revenues, rising domestic consumption and growing environmental awareness, solar energy has come to occupy a more prominent role in the development of the country’s energy mix in recent years. Testament to this are government plans to develop a 4-GW solar project. Infrastructure First announced in March 2017, the project will comprise six solar plants…
In line with rising demand for electricity, Algeria has invested significantly in its power sector over the past 10 years, with projects primarily carried out by state-owned power company Sonelgaz and its subsidiaries. Major upgrades embracing enhanced technologies have also been brought on-stream; however, there remains a pressing need to further optimise production and reduce consumption…
