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 Central Beirut, Suburbs after Major Evacuation Warnings

A damaged building is pictured through the wreckage of a vehicle, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
A damaged building is pictured through the wreckage of a vehicle, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
TT

Israel Pounds Central Beirut, Suburbs after Major Evacuation Warnings

A damaged building is pictured through the wreckage of a vehicle, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
A damaged building is pictured through the wreckage of a vehicle, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin

Israel mounted waves of pounding airstrikes in Beirut on Tuesday as its security cabinet discussed a ceasefire deal in Lebanon with its Hezbollah foes that could take effect as soon as Wednesday.

A senior Israeli official and Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib appeared optimistic a deal could be reached, clearing the way for an end to a conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year.

Despite the possibility of an imminent diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities raged as Israel sharply ramped up its campaign of air strikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, with health authorities reporting at least 18 killed.

Israeli warplanes launched repeated strikes across Beirut throughout Tuesday, mostly in the southern suburbs that are a stronghold for Iran-backed Hezbollah.

A single cluster of strikes in Beirut that Israel's military said included attacks on 20 targets in just 120 seconds killed at least seven people and injured 37, Lebanon's health ministry said.

Israel also gave advance notice for the first time of strikes in the central Beirut area, a significant escalation of its campaign in the capital that sparked panic among residents with some fleeing north.

Strikes also targeted Tyre, in the south, and Baalbek, in the east.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the air force was conducting a "widespread attack" on Hezbollah targets across the city.

Hezbollah has kept up rocket fire into Israel and has previously said it would respond to attacks on central Beirut by firing rockets at Tel Aviv. Sirens sounded in northern Israel and the Israeli military said five projectiles were identified coming from Lebanon.

Hezbollah launched some 250 rockets on Sunday in one of its heaviest barrages yet. The northern Israeli city of Nahariya came under more rocket fire overnight.

‘Dangerous hours’

A Hezbollah parliament member in Lebanon, Hassan Fadlallah, said the country faced "dangerous, sensitive hours" during the wait for a possible ceasefire announcement.

With Israel's security cabinet meeting to discuss the deal, which a senior Israeli official had said was likely to be approved, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would speak on Tuesday evening at 8 pm (1800 GMT). A government official said the cabinet meeting had started.

Israeli approval of the deal would pave the way for a ceasefire declaration by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, four senior Lebanese sources told Reuters on Monday.

The ceasefire could come into effect on Wednesday morning, triggering a 60-day truce, a Western diplomat said.

However, there was no indication that a truce in Lebanon would hasten a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in devastated Gaza, where Israel is battling Palestinian group Hamas.

The agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanon's army to deploy in the region, officials say. Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River.

Bou Habib said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw, and that the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.

Israel demands effective UN enforcement of an eventual ceasefire with Lebanon and will show "zero tolerance" toward any infraction, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.