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Algerian Gate: Following his arrival in the German capital, Berlin, on an official visit, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune held a meeting with members of the Algerian community residing in the Federal Republic of Germany.

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During the meeting, President Tebboune listened to the various concerns and aspirations of the Algerian nationals living in the friendly country and responded to their questions.

At the invitation of his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune arrived earlier in Berlin for a two-day official visit to Germany.

This visit aims to strengthen the historical ties of friendship and partnership between the two countries and to reaffirm the shared commitment of both leaders to inject new momentum into bilateral cooperation and expand it to broader horizons.

Algeria Gate: Algeria exported 4.47 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the first half of 2026.

While European demand stayed strong, maintenance work at the Arzew and Skikda liquefaction complexes prevented Sonatrach from fully meeting this demand, resulting in a 6.5% decline compared to the same period in 2025.

The export map remains highly concentrated, with only five countries accounting for more than 90% of Algeria’s total LNG shipments. Turkey and France alone purchased nearly two-thirds of the volume, making Algerian LNG exports heavily dependent on a small number of European markets.

Despite recording one of the weakest first-half performances since 2013, the second quarter showed signs of recovery. Shipments increased to 2.43 million tons (from 2.04 million tons in Q1), and Sonatrach delivered its first direct LNG cargo to Germany in early July.

As the second half of 2026 begins, Algeria faces a clear challenge: improving liquefaction plant readiness, diversifying its customer base, and transforming strong European demand into stable, higher-volume exports.

Increased production not fully reflected in LNG exports

Algeria’s natural gas production continued to grow in early 2026. Output reached 29 billion cubic meters in the first quarter, up 1.14 billion cubic meters from Q1 2025. Production rose further in April by 7.1% year-on-year.

However, this production growth did not translate into higher LNG exports. The main bottleneck lies in the allocation of gas between the domestic market, pipeline exports (Medgas to Spain and Transmed to Italy), and liquefaction plants.

Key point: Higher field production does not automatically mean higher LNG exports unless liquefaction facilities operate at optimal capacity and sufficient feedstock is available.

Maintenance at Arzew and Skikda heavily impacts exports

Scheduled maintenance at the Arzew and Skikda complexes during the first four months of the year significantly reduced available volumes for export. January saw exports fall to just 440,000 tons, among the lowest monthly figures in recent years.

Monthly export performance was as follows:

• January: 440,000 tons
• February: 670,000 tons
• March: 940,000 tons
• April: 690,000 tons
• May: 1.03 million tons (highest in seven months)
• June: 710,000 tons

The large gap between peak and low months (590,000 tons) clearly shows how sensitive Algerian LNG exports are to maintenance schedules and plant availability.

Second quarter signals recovery

Although the overall first-half result was negative, Q2 exports rose 19.1% to 2.43 million tons compared to the first quarter. The year-on-year decline narrowed from 8.5% in Q1 to 4.7% in Q2, indicating gradual improvement in operational capacity.

Algeria loses 1.78 million tons over two years

Comparing multiple years reveals a deeper decline. First-half LNG exports dropped from 6.25 million tons in 2024 to 4.78 million tons in 2025, and further to 4.47 million tons in 2026; a cumulative loss of 1.78 million tons (28.5%).

Two markets buy nearly two-thirds of exports

Export concentration remains very high:

• Turkey: 1.55 million tons (34.7%)
• France: 1.31 million tons (29.3%)

Together, these two markets accounted for nearly 64% of Algeria’s total LNG exports in the first half of 2026.

Italy and Spain drop, UK Rises

• Italy: 520,000 tons (down 14.4%)
• Spain: 300,000 tons (down 50.8%)
• United Kingdom: 350,000 tons (up 29.6%)

The top five markets absorbed 90.2% of all Algerian LNG exports, leaving very little volume for other destinations.

All Algerian LNG shipments headed to Europe

Europe received 100% of Algeria’s LNG exports during the first half of 2026. Proximity, existing infrastructure, and long-term contracts make the European market the natural and most competitive destination.

Strong European demand expected in second half of 2026

Europe is expected to increase LNG imports by around 13% in 2026 to rebuild inventories before winter. Geopolitical risks around the Strait of Hormuz further enhance the strategic value of reliable suppliers like Algeria.

Germany becomes a new market for Algerian LNG

On July 2, 2026, Sonatrach delivered its first direct LNG shipment to Germany at the Wilhelmshaven 1 terminal. This delivery marks an important step in diversifying Algeria’s export destinations beyond traditional Mediterranean buyers.

Liquefaction capacity exists: the challenge is in full exploitation

Sonatrach operates four liquefaction complexes with a total annual capacity of up to 56 million cubic meters. However, actual performance is affected by maintenance, feedstock availability, and operational efficiency.

The real challenge is not capacity, but maximizing uptime and exploitation rates to meet European demand during high-price periods.

Three major tests for the second half of 2026

Algeria enters the second half facing three key tests:

1. Sustaining high availability of liquefaction plants after maintenance.
2. Stabilizing monthly exports at higher levels.
3. Converting the first delivery to Germany into regular, long-term contracts.

The future of Algerian LNG exports will depend on operational improvements and market diversification, not just European demand.

Algeria Gate: A presidential decree outlining the conditions and procedures for executing and maintaining artistic works in public spaces was published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette (Issue No. 49).

Decree No. 26-247, dated June 29, 2026, defines artistic works as monuments, including any statue, memorial, or mural with architectural or aesthetic value. These works are intended to commemorate individuals, multiple persons, or events, or to beautify public surroundings.

The decree further classifies murals as permanent or temporary writings, drawings, or sculptures created on walls or fixed or movable supports using paint, lime, cement, ceramic, or other materials. Such works must feature artistic and aesthetic qualities and serve to commemorate people or events or enhance the urban environment.

Categories of Artistic Works:

– National Dimension: works that commemorate national figures, symbols, historical achievements, revolutionary events, or artistic milestones represented across the entire national territory.

– Regional Dimension: works commemorating figures or events whose significance extends beyond a single wilaya (province) to neighboring regions.

– Special Character: works honoring specific personalities or events, created in implementation of decisions by the highest state authorities.

– Public Spaces: any road, square, place, or building designated for public use or open to the public.

According to the decree, the creation and display of artistic works in public spaces require a license, issued after consultation with the relevant committee. The license is granted by the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or the competent provincial Wali, depending on the nature and location of the project.

License applications must receive prior approval from:

– The Minister of Mujahideen (or the provincial Director of Mujahideen) for historical works related to popular resistance, the national movement, or the Liberation Revolution.

– The Minister of Culture and the Arts (or the provincial Director of Culture) for cultural works involving historical or artistic figures, events, or tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

All artistic works must respect the nation’s fundamental principles, historical symbols, values, and national memory. They must also comply with public order, public morals, the general interest of the nation, and technical, artistic, and aesthetic standards.

The decree establishes two committees : one at the national level and one at the wilaya level ; responsible for reviewing applications and issuing opinions within set deadlines.

Required Documents include proof of the applicant’s identity, approvals from concerned authorities, a model or miniature maquette of the proposed work, a historical summary of the person or event being commemorated, and details of the project’s financing.

Maintenance responsibility falls on the license holder:

– The municipality, for works on national property within its territory.

– The Ministry of Culture and the Arts, for protected cultural heritage properties.

– The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for works on Algerian state property abroad.

Artistic works created before the publication of this decree must have their status regularized in accordance with its provisions within one year from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.