Put down the gas: Russian companies aim for new fields in Algeria

Russian and Algerian companies are managing to find ways to overcome sanctions against Russia, Ambassador to Algeria Alexei Solomatin told Izvestia. Currently, our country is promoting agricultural products to the Algerian market, preparing projects in the pharmaceutical, banking and transport sectors. In addition, according to the diplomat, Russian oil and gas companies are aiming to increase cooperation with Algeria in the development of new fields, equipment supplies and infrastructure maintenance. The Republic remains one of Moscow's leading trading partners in Africa. Its authorities are showing interest in Russian technologies in the field of peaceful atom. The tourist flow is also increasing: the issuance of tourist visas to Algerians increased by 11% in the first ten months of 2025.

Algeria is interested in peaceful atom

Algeria has remained one of Russia's key trading partners in Africa for many years, and the two countries are linked by friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation based on the principles of equality and respect. The Russian Ambassador to Algeria Alexey Solomatin told Izvestia about this.

— Currently, active work is underway to promote Russian products, primarily agricultural products, to the local market. Projects in various fields are being worked out: pharmaceutical, banking, transportation and others. Despite the pressure and illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the "Westerners" against our country, domestic and Algerian companies are finding ways to overcome the difficulties and build mutually beneficial cooperation," the diplomat said.

The fuel and energy sector remains one of the central areas. The head of the Russian diplomatic mission noted that Algeria is interested in Russian developments in the field of peaceful atom. The Russian Federation is also ready to develop this area, especially since direct working contacts have already been established between the relevant structures of the two countries.

"Our oil and gas companies are aiming to further enhance cooperation with Algeria, including in the supply of equipment, infrastructure maintenance and the development of new hydrocarbon fields," said Alexey Solomatin.

The Algerian hydrocarbon industry, led by the state-owned Sonatrach company, has been actively and successfully exploring new fields in recent years, especially natural gas. This corresponds to the national goal of increasing production from 137 billion cubic meters to 200 billion cubic meters. m per year in the medium term.

Since January 2024, Sonatrach has announced eight major discoveries made independently in previously undiscovered or poorly developed areas. According to experts, the new fields should significantly increase proven reserves, primarily of natural gas, although the exact production volumes have not yet been disclosed.

The country already has one of the largest reserves of natural resources in Africa and the world. Proven natural gas reserves amount to 4.55 trillion cubic meters. It is the second largest in Africa after Nigeria and the eighth largest in the world, with 2.6% of the world's total reserves. In addition to hydrocarbons, the bowels of the country are rich in ore minerals: coal, uranium, and iron are mined here.

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The oil and gas sector accounts for 98% of Algeria's export revenue. At the same time, the country's authorities attach particular importance to economic diversification: President Abdelmajid Tebboun's new industrial strategy involves accelerated development of "green" hydrogen, mining, agriculture, heavy industry and tourism. The target for 2027 is for non-primary exports to exceed $15 billion.

Russian policy in the Maghreb, a region that includes Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania, is built around Moscow's strategic interests related to energy, trade and economic cooperation, security, and strengthening its position on the African continent, experts say.

— Algeria can indeed be considered an important "entry point" for Russia in the Maghreb region, and the two countries are rapidly expanding their partnership. For example, this is clearly visible in the agricultural sector. Today Algeria imports more grain from Russia than from France: every third ton of grain on the local market is Russian, orientalist Leonid Tsukanov told Izvestia.

The expert also drew attention to military-technical cooperation, pointing out that Algeria is one of the three largest buyers of Russian defense products, and the products of the Russian military-industrial complex occupy almost three quarters of the national market. According to Tsukanov, the total trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $2 billion by the end of 2024, and the trend indicates its further growth. He added that due to its geographical location, Algeria is able to become an important base for the expansion of the Russian military presence abroad.

Interest in the BRICS format remains one of Algeria's foreign policy guidelines. The country joined the New BRICS Development Bank in 2024, which opened access to alternative sources of financing. Algerian MP Al Sid Al-Sheikh Wahid previously told Izvestia that participation in the bank would have a positive impact on the country's economic development and investment attraction.

After the start of its military operation, Algeria maintained close ties with Russia in the economy, politics and military-technical sphere. In 2023, Tebbun visited Moscow, stressing that Russia's support contributes to the preservation of his country's national independence.

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This will allow the state-owned company to cover losses due to a reduction in export demand for fuel.

Algerians began to visit Russia more often

The number of business and government visits is actively growing. In September, Algeria participated in the World Food Moscow 2025 exhibition, where a delegation of 15 agro-industrial companies arrived. In October, representatives of Delovaya Rossiya, led by Alexei Repik, visited the country and held talks with President Abdelmajid Tebboun and the heads of major departments. In November, a multidisciplinary business mission of the Russian Export Center took place in Algeria: about two dozen domestic companies held more than 150 meetings with Algerian partners.

Against the background of accelerating contacts, the mutual tourist flow is steadily growing, Alexey Solomatin said. An important role in this is played by the availability of regular flights between the countries — planes fly three times a week.

— After the removal of restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic, the interest of Algerians in holidays in Russia has increased significantly. In the first ten months of this year, 11% more tourist visas were issued compared to the same period last year," the diplomat said.

The ambassador noted that Algeria is not yet one of the mass tourist destinations for Russians, however, in his assessment, the country's potential in this area is very significant.

He stressed that Algeria has unique advantages: rich historical heritage — from ancient Roman ruins to Arab-Moorish architecture, distinctive culture and cuisine, as well as a rare variety of natural landscapes. In Algeria, you can be at sea, in the mountains and in the desert in one day. The diplomat expressed confidence that this area will develop and attract more and more Russian tourists.