Djezzy has secured initial approval from the Bank of Algeria to set up Djezzy Payment Services. This marks a big move for telecom-driven digital payments and signals rising competition in Algeria's changing financial sector.
Djezzy, one of Algeria's biggest telecom operators, has received the go-ahead from the Bank of Algeria to set up Djezzy Payment Services. The central bank's board, led by Governor Mohand Bouarai, made the decision public on September 23, 2026. The official statement, published by the Algerian Press Service (APS), confirms that non-bank players are now taking real steps into the country's financial sector.
This approval lets Djezzy create a payment unit under the Payment Service Provider (PSP) rules. These rules were set out in Regulation No. 25-02 and the 2023 Monetary and Banking Law. The legal framework was built to modernize Algeria's financial system. It lets non-bank companies-like telecoms and digital platforms-offer payment services under direct central bank oversight. The Ministry of Finance and APS both outlined these changes.
Regulatory pathway and market entry
This is not a full banking license. It is a permit to set up the PSP company. Djezzy Payment Services, which is part of Optimum Telecom Algérie, now has up to 12 months to meet all regulatory and operational requirements. Only after that can it apply for final approval from the Bank of Algeria. Without this final license, Djezzy cannot start commercial operations. The central bank's guidelines make sure new players follow the same rules as established banks. The national regulator has repeated this point in recent statements.
This move fits with Algeria's push to grow cashless payments and bring more people into the financial system. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has made this a priority in recent statements. The PSP rules are aimed at non-bank companies, hoping to spark innovation and competition while keeping strong oversight. Djezzy's large subscriber base and digital network put it in a good spot to offer new payment tools to millions of Algerians. This could speed up the country's digital shift.
Regional trends and competition
Djezzy's step into digital payments follows a wider trend in the Maghreb and across Africa. Telecom operators are getting more involved in fintech. In Morocco, financial authorities have backed similar moves to boost digital payments, as reported by the Maghreb Arab Press (MAP). In Tunisia, the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) has covered the government's work to modernize payment systems and bring in private companies. Across Africa, telecom-led payment platforms like Kenya's M-Pesa and Nigeria's Payment Service Banks have shown how telecoms can drive financial inclusion and new services under central bank rules.
In Algeria, Djezzy's move is likely to heat up competition between banks and payment providers. This could give consumers more choice and help digital financial services catch on faster. On September 12, 2026, Djezzy signed a framework deal with the General Union of Algerian Traders and Artisans (UGCAA) to support business digitalization. This shows Djezzy's commitment to pushing Algeria's digital economy forward. The move matches regional efforts to modernize business and payments, like Morocco's work in the auto sector and Tunisia's e-government projects.
For more background, the region has already seen tech-driven changes in areas like clean mobility, as reported earlier in Morocco's auto industry. Official updates on Algeria's financial reforms are available in the APS economic bulletin.
Editorial perspective
Djezzy's initial approval is a clear move by the Bank of Algeria to open up the payments market to non-bank companies, balancing new ideas with strong oversight. If Djezzy meets all the rules and requirements in the next year, Algerians could soon have more ways to pay and manage money digitally. This puts Algeria in a leading spot as telecoms and fintech come together across Africa, as recognized by regional authorities and the African Union's economic agenda. The stage is set for more change and new opportunities in North Africa's financial sector.
