Algeria Seeks to Become an Investment ‘Gateway’ in Africa

Meeting at the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit (Russian Presidency)
Meeting at the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit (Russian Presidency)
TT

Algeria Seeks to Become an Investment ‘Gateway’ in Africa

Meeting at the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit (Russian Presidency)
Meeting at the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit (Russian Presidency)

Algeria pledged during the Second Russia-Africa Summit, which concluded its work in St. Petersburg, to become an investment gateway for Russian investors to enter the continent.

It advocated for a solid and profitable African-Russian partnership for both parties and the emergence of a fair international system.

The Algerian Prime Minister, Aymen Benabderrahmane, affirmed on the summit's sidelines that his country's positive development indicators in recent years make it the gateway to Africa within the strategic partnership with Russia.

Benabderrahmane pointed out that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Russia in mid-June pushed the bilateral relations further.

During the visit, the two countries launched a strategic partnership covering many sectors, including renewable energies.

On Thursday, Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov announced a partnership with Algeria to produce two million cubic meters of gas daily, starting in 2026.

Shulginov said that Gazprom plans to start the production of hydrocarbons in the el-Assel area in Algeria in 2026.

Benabderrahmane stated that Algeria and Moscow are working on an approach developed by the two Presidents to move towards consolidating a deep partnership, noting that his country is Russia's second trading partner in Africa.

The PM stressed that the most crucial indicator recorded by the Algerian economy is the rise in per capita income to $4,800, while the gross domestic product was estimated at $255 billion, with a growth rate that may exceed five percent in 2023.

He explained that the positive indicators resulted from the economic dynamism, including the state measures and the new investment law, which approved projects worth more than $7.2 billion and will enable the creation of 50,000 jobs.

In a meeting with Algerian investors at an economic exhibition in St. Petersburg, the Prime Minister discussed investing in various sectors and opportunities offered by the national economy, especially in services.

He referred to Algeria's outstanding capabilities, especially in tourism and digital technologies, which create wealth and jobs, stressing that authorities took several incentive measures in favor of exporting institutions.

Officials in Algeria aspire to reach $13 billion in non-hydrocarbon exports, and the government aims to use food, agricultural, and start-up companies to increase exports.

At the summit, Benabderrahmane read a speech on behalf of Tebboune stating that Algeria looks forward to building a strong African-Russian, mutually beneficial partnership for the emergence of a just international order that respects the principles of international law and multilateralism.

Algeria is making significant efforts to support development in the continent, especially in reducing indebtedness and developing infrastructure in many of its countries, said the Prime Minister, noting that lowering debt allows African countries to overcome a significant obstacle and benefit from new funds.



Israel Pounds Lebanon ahead of Hamas Attack Anniversary

Fire and smoke rise over an area targeted by an Israeli air strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 6 - AFP
Fire and smoke rise over an area targeted by an Israeli air strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 6 - AFP
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Israel Pounds Lebanon ahead of Hamas Attack Anniversary

Fire and smoke rise over an area targeted by an Israeli air strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 6 - AFP
Fire and smoke rise over an area targeted by an Israeli air strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 6 - AFP

A fireball lit up the sky and smoke billowed over Beirut on Sunday as Israel unleashed intense strikes on Lebanon, almost a year since the Hamas attack that sparked war in Gaza.

In Gaza, Israel's military said it had encircled the northern area of Jabaliya after indications Hamas was rebuilding despite nearly a year of devastating air strikes and fighting.

As another strike hit Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati appealed to the international community to put pressure on Israel for a ceasefire.

Lebanon's official National News Agency said Beirut's Dahieh was hit by more than 30 strikes, with a petrol station and a medical supplies warehouse also hit.

"The strikes were like an earthquake," said shopkeeper Mehdi Zeiter, 60.

Israel's military claimed it struck weapons storage facilities and infrastructure while taking measures "to mitigate the risk of harming civilians".

AFPTV footage showed a massive fireball over a residential area, followed by a loud bang and secondary explosions. Smoke was still billowing from the site after dawn.

Later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit to troops along the northern border, his office said, nearly a week after the army launched a ground operation inside Lebanon.

For his part, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Iran an "ongoing threat" after Tehran launched around 200 missiles at Israel on Tuesday in revenge for Israeli killings of militant leaders including Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

It came the same day Israeli ground forces began raids into Lebanon after days of intense strikes on Hezbollah strongholds.

- 'Resistance won't back down' -

One Israeli military official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to discuss the issue publicly, said the army "is preparing a response" to Iran's attack.

Netanyahu noted Iran had twice launched "hundreds of missiles" at Israel since April.

"Israel has the duty and the right to defend itself and to respond to these attacks and that is what we will do," he said in a statement.

Netanyahu's critics accuse him of obstructing efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire and a deal to free hostages still held by Hamas.

Iran has prepared a plan to respond to a possible Israeli attack, Tasnim news agency reported, citing an informed source.

The Islamic republic's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Friday warned that "the resistance in the region will not back down".

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that "the resistance in the region will not back down"

- 'Never-ending nightmare' -

UN's refugee agency head Filippo Grandi said Lebanon "faces a terrible crisis" and warned "hundreds of thousands of people are left destitute or displaced by Israeli air strikes".

Israeli bombardment has put at least four hospitals in Lebanon out of service, the facilities said.

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon said it rejected a request by Israel's military to "relocate some of our positions" in south Lebanon.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Damascus Saturday after visiting Beirut, renewed his call for ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon and threatened Israel with an "even stronger" reaction to any attack on Iran.

US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators tried unsuccessfully for months to reach a Gaza truce and secure the release of 97 hostages still held there.

Gaza's civil defense agency said on Sunday an Israeli strike on a mosque-turned-shelter in central Deir al-Balah killed 26 people. Israel said it had targeted Hamas militants.
A Palestinian medic searches for survivors in the rubble of a building after it was hit during an Israeli strike on Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,870 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Gaza's health ministry and described as reliable by the UN.

Ahead of the October 7 anniversary, thousands joined pro-Palestinian rallies in London, Paris, Cape Town and other cities.