Algeria eyes post-oil future with export push and port reforms

Algeria is making headway in diversifying its economy beyond hydrocarbons, tripling non-oil exports to $5.1 billion in 2023, according to a new World Bank report. Fertilizers, cement, and steel products now feature alongside oil and gas at the Port of Algiers, as reforms take effect.

Key initiatives include the Algerian Port Community System, launched in 2021 with World Bank support, which streamlines cargo clearance by connecting port stakeholders digitally. The 2022 Investment Law has also introduced tax incentives and simplified procedures to attract foreign investors via a new agency, AAPI.

Other efforts target export quality, with the number of accredited laboratories nearly doubling since 2021. Agriculture and niche industries like leather and cork have also seen modest gains.

Despite progress, the report warns that Algeria’s economy remains vulnerable to low productivity, red tape, and decarbonisation pressures. Sustained reforms and green industrial upgrades will be crucial if Algeria is to secure long-term growth.