Algeria: President Tebboune announces reforms

Algeria’s President Abdelmajid Tebboune announced a number of reforms during a cabinet meeting, according to a report from government-friendly Algerie 360 on 16th November. The announcements concern a wide range of issues, from economy to administration, highlighting the priorities of the government for the coming year.

Notably, he ordered his ministers to work on raising the minimum wage (SMIG) and unemployment benefits, which are amongst the lowest in the region. The minimum salary currently stands at 20,000 DA/ month (about $153), significantly lower than neighbouring Morocco and Libya.

He also announced that the Gara Djebilet mine, one of the world’s largest iron mines, would open for exploitation in early 2026. Algeria aims to become self-sufficient in terms of raw material, and the mine is a very strategic site. An official statement also emphasized the need for “diversification of resources beyond hydrocarbons”.

In addition, a new 950-km train line connecting the border city of Tindouf to Bechar, across the desert, is to be inaugurated shortly and should eventually be used to transport iron ore to Oran. This represents a major milestone for Algerian infrastructure, and it is part of a larger railway network which should be finished in 2030.

Tebboune has also shown a willingness to reform the country’s administration: 11 new wilayas (administrative provinces) will be created, facilitating the work of local authorities and making administrative procedures faster and more efficient. This concerns mainly the Hauts-Plateaux region in the North of the country, and Southern regions, areas that have long asked for more public services and investments.

While these announcements were welcomed, there are also concerns about Algeria’s expanding debt and expenses, as this follows reports in October of a record defense budget. A recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also strongly criticized the North African country, noting that its economy was severely threatened by an over-reliance on oil income and that its budget deficit was at a record high of 13.9% of the GDP.

President Tebboune has been pushing for reforms on several levels for the past year and is working on reinforcing Algeria’s position within Africa and globally, but it remains to be seen how these ambitious plans will be applied.

Algerie 360, AL24 News, Maghrebi.org