Algeria bets on diversification beyond oil with mega dairy project and new global partnerships Copy link

France once again steps in to shield one of its “mercenaries in disguise.” Culture Minister Catherine Béguar rushed to denounce what she called a threat to creative freedom after Algerian courts sentenced Franco‑Algerian writer Kamel Daoud to three years in prison. His novel Houriates — accused of being stolen material — was conveniently crowned with the Goncourt Prize in 2024.

Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot followed suit, lamenting the ruling and insisting it was “unacceptable to punish a writer for a literary work.” He added that Daoud, who resides in France, should not face prosecution. French media quickly joined the chorus, launching a campaign of sympathy and distortion to defend the man critics call a literary thief.

But Algerian lawyer Fatima Ben Braham reminded everyone that two lawsuits had already been filed against Daoud: one by the National Organization of Terrorism Victims, and another by survivor Saâda Arabane. Arabane accused Daoud and his wife of exploiting her trauma without consent. Her ordeal — surviving a near‑fatal attack in 1999 that left her unable to speak normally — is mirrored almost word‑for‑word in Daoud’s novel.

Ben Braham explained that the lawsuits were filed in Oran, where Daoud and his wife live, right after the book’s release — not after the Goncourt win. The charges include breach of medical confidentiality (as Daoud’s wife, a psychiatrist, allegedly handed over her patient’s file), defamation of terrorism victims, and violation of Algeria’s National Reconciliation Law, which forbids publishing material about the 1992–2002 security crisis.

Translated from the Arabic version of the Algeria Portal website

The prominent Spanish daily “La Razón” has revealed a significant surge in interest from the Spanish private sector toward Algeria. According to the report, more than 100 companies based in the Valencia region are actively preparing to re-enter the Algerian market following the gradual resumption of trade between the two Mediterranean nations.

In a detailed breakdown of trade data, the Spanish newspaper “La Razón“ reported that Algeria recorded the most significant increase in trade volume throughout the past year (January–December). Algerian exports witnessed a staggering surge of 269%, while imports rose by 109%.

This remarkable growth has propelled Algeria to rank secend only to Canada in the import category for the region, reflecting a powerful resurgence of economic dynamism between the two Mediterranean shores.

The report by “La Razón” further emphasized that for many Spanish enterprises, Algeria is much more than a market; it is a “Strategic Gateway to the African Continent.

This is attributed to:

Energy Leadership: Algeria’s role as a primary and reliable exporter, particularly in the energy sector, which remains the backbone of bilateral trade.

Geographical Proximity: Its vital position directly across from the Valencia region.

صحيفة لاراثون الإسبانية 🇪🇸 : اهتمام أزيد من 100 شركة إسبانية من فالنسيا بالسوق الجزائرية 🇩🇿 تزامنا مع عودة الدفء لعلاقات التبادل التجاري بين الجزائر وإسبانيا بعد فترة من الجمود

الصحيفة أكدت أن صادرات منطقة فالنسيا نحو الجزائر بلغت 414.1 مليون يورو خلال العام الماضي، مايعد… pic.twitter.com/nHLfYCHF7y

— بوابة الجزائر – Algeria Gate (@algatedz) April 23, 2026

Following the diplomatic rapprochement capped by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares’s visit to Algiers in late March, the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness, and Cooperation has been officially reactivated. This revival has paved the way for a promising new phase of bilateral trade.

During a high-level conference at the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, Spanish Secretary of State for Trade, Amparo López, addressed representatives from 110 companies. She emphasized that the period of trade stagnation has ended, replaced by a framework of “Legal Certainty” for Spanish firms looking to leverage investment opportunities in Algeria.

Key Players and Sectoral Interests

The list of companies actively pursuing the Algerian market includes prominent industrial names:

Industrial Coatings & Paints: “Colorobbia” and “Pinturas Isaval.”

Agri-food Industry: “Vicky Foods” and “Manufacturas Taberner.”

Furniture & Plastics: “Ofifran” (Furniture) and “Inplasva” (Plastics)

The report highlights that Valencia’s exports to Algeria reached €414.1 million last year, ranking it as the fourth-largest exporting region in Spain to the Algerian market. A critical factor in this relationship is the Medgaz pipeline, which provides the natural gas essential for Valencia’s vital ceramics industry.

Secretary Amparo López highlighted that opportunities in Algeria now extend to high-value-added sectors such as energy, water management, and infrastructure. She specifically noted that Algeria’s New Investment Law serves as a fundamental guarantee for Spanish companies, fostering a climate of trust necessary for long-term strategic partnerships.

Algiers — On Thursday, Algeria marked a major step in its agricultural and industrial ambitions with the signing of the second package of contracts for the “Baladna Algeria” project, dedicated to powdered milk production and set to take its root in Adrar.

The agreements, estimated values at more than $635 million, were concluded with Algerian and international partners active in services, construction, and cattle supply. The ceremony took place at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center, overseen by Minister of Agriculture Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, and attended by representatives of Baladna, Qatar’s ambassador to Algeria Abdulaziz Ali Al-Naama, along with officials from national and foreign institutions.

This new package lays the groundwork for essential phases: herd formation, civil engineering works, construction of a concrete plant, establishment of, housing and service facilities, and the launch of a dairy cow import program. According to the plan, imports will begin in November 2026 via a dedicated air bridge, bringing in around 30,000 cows from nine U.S. states over ten months.

The choice of air transport, officials explained, reflects a strategic decision to shorten travel time and safeguard the health of the herd.

Beyond the figures and contracts, the project tells a larger story: Algeria’s drive to transform Adrar into a hub of agricultural production, linking the desert’s potential with global markets and signaling a new chapter in the country’s food security strategy.

🔴شراكة قطرية جزائرية 🇶🇦🇩🇿 تحول الحلم إلى واقع.. "بلدنا" تنفذ أكبر مشروع لإنتاج الألبان والحليب المجفف في العالم#الجزائر #قطر pic.twitter.com/cSn8BwGZwd

— بوابة الجزائر – Algeria Gate (@algatedz) April 5, 2026