
Algeria and Niger have advanced their energy cooperation with the signing of three strategic Memoranda of Understanding MoU between subsidiaries of Algeria's Sonatrach and Niger's Société Nigérienne du Pétrole SONIDEP. The agreements were signed on June 2, 2026, at Sonatrach's headquarters, with Algerian Minister of Hydrocarbons Mohamed Arkab and Niger's Minister of Petroleum Mahamane Moustapha Barké represented by Hamadou Tini presiding. The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Niger to Algeria, Sonatrach CEO Noureddine Daoudi, and Sonidep Director General Ali Seibou Hassan, along with senior hydrocarbon sector officials from both countries. These agreements align with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's vision to boost South-South cooperation and build a strong bilateral partnership for African economic and energy integration. The MoUs cover key technical areas across the oil and gas value chain, involving three major Sonatrach subsidiaries. The first agreement, between Entreprise Nationale de Géophysique ENAGEO and Sonidep, focuses on seismic data acquisition and processing in Niger to support hydrocarbon exploration. The second protocol, between Entreprise Nationale de Forage ENAFOR and Sonidep, establishes a joint venture for oil and gas drilling operations in Niger, aiming to pool technical expertise and enhance operational capabilities. The third agreement involves Société Nationale de Commercialisation et de Distribution de Produits Pétroliers NAFTAL and a
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Must ReadUpon his return from Germany, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune immediately visited the Zeralda University Hospital Center for burn victims to check on the survivors of the Mohammadia Assisted Children's Establishment fire. The fire, which occurred overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, resulted in the deaths of ten children and a 52-year-old educator, and left 19 others injured. President Tebboune assured that the injured are in "safe hands" and emphasized the need for rigorous psychological support for the traumatized victims. He guaranteed the state's full mobilization, stating that all necessary resources have been provided to the medical teams at Zeralda University Hospital, which is equipped with highly qualified medical staff and advanced equipment. Care will be provided until the complete recovery of each patient. The president's visit, following an official trip to Germany, underscored the priority given to this national tragedy; he had previously paid tribute to the victims during a joint press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin. The fire, which started around 3:30 AM on Thursday, July 16, in the eastern Algiers suburb of Mohammadia, was likely caused by an electrical spark from an air conditioner, according to scientific police experts. Five individuals with special needs were evacuated to safety. The institutional response included Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, accompanied by several ministers, visiting the hospitals to assess the situation and offer co
Must ReadAlgeria's Directorate General of Civil Protection has issued an urgent recall for all its agents across 44 wilayas to report to their units immediately. This measure comes in response to a severe heatwave, with temperatures nearing 50°C in Saharan regions and affecting coastal wilayas, alongside a concerning increase in forest fires. The National Office of Meteorology has issued special bulletins forecasting temperatures potentially exceeding 48°C until next Sunday. The recall primarily affects personnel from the National Training and Intervention Unit in Algiers and operational units in 44 northern and southern wilayas, including Tlemcen, Sidi Bel Abbès, Aïn Témouchent, Oran, Mascara, Saïda, Mostaganem, Relizane, Chlef, Tiaret, Naâma, El Bayadh, Laghouat, Djelfa, Tissemsilt, Aïn Defla, Tipaza, Alger, Blida, Médéa, Boumerdès, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, Béjaïa, Jijel, Skikda, Annaba, El Tarf, Guelma, Bordj Bou Arréridj, Sétif, Constantine, M’Sila, Mila, Souk Ahras, El M’Ghair, El Oued, Batna, Khenchela, Oum El Bouaghi, Tébessa, Biskra, Ouled Djellal, and Touggourt. The Civil Protection has also urged the public to exercise caution, avoid approaching fires or attempting to extinguish them independently, and refrain from entering forested areas. Drivers and residents are asked to keep access roads clear for emergency vehicles, and those in threatened areas must comply immediately with evacuation orders. As of Thursday midday, 62 fires had been reported across 14 northern wilayas, with

France maintained its position as the leading importer of Algerian crude oil transported by sea in the first half of 2026, with an average of 62,000 barrels per day, accounting for nearly 16% of Algeria's maritime crude exports. Spain followed with 56,000 barrels per day, and South Korea ranked third with 46,000 barrels daily. The United Kingdom imported 45,000 barrels per day, and the Netherlands 38,000 barrels daily. These five countries collectively received almost 64% of Algeria's crude oil exports. Algeria's crude oil exports averaged 388,000 barrels per day during the first six months of the year, despite national production increasing to 977,000 barrels daily. In June, production peaked at 987,000 barrels per day, its highest level in three years, due to eased voluntary production cuts under the OPEC+ alliance. However, export volumes were lower than in previous years, with 416,000 barrels per day in the first half of 2024 and 447,000 barrels daily in the same period of 2025. This trend is attributed to Algeria's strategy of developing local refining to export more processed petroleum products, which generate higher added value. While France's purchases decreased from 76,000 to 62,000 barrels per day, and Spain's fell from 88,000 to 56,000 barrels daily, South Korea saw a 31.4% increase in imports, from 35,000 to 46,000 barrels per day. The Netherlands experienced the largest increase among Algeria's main clients, with purchases rising from 14,000 to 38,000 barrels dai