Algiers – Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, received a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today at the ministry headquarters. The delegation was led by Charalambos Tsangarides, the IMF’s mission chief for Algeria. The meeting was held within the framework of the annual consultations between the IMF and Algeria under Article IV.
Senior ministry officials and a representative from the Bank of Algeria also attended the meeting. Minister Arkab presented a comprehensive overview of the hydrocarbon and mining sector development program, highlighting the significant transformations underway in the regulatory framework for energy and mining activities. He emphasized that these changes are being implemented as part of the economic reforms outlined in the government’s action plan, which is derived from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s economic program.
Arkab underscored the pivotal role of the energy sector in diversifying the Algerian economy, fostering growth, and meeting the domestic market’s needs for various petroleum and gas products. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the country’s long-term energy security and contributing to the stability of international energy markets.
The Minister stated that the sector’s development policy is based on a short, medium, and long-term strategic vision aimed at enhancing the added value of the country’s resources, improving production efficiency, and developing manufacturing industries. The ministry is also focused on supporting the transition towards a cleaner energy economy by reducing flared gas and methane emissions, developing carbon capture projects, and promoting a circular economy.
Minister Arkab also highlighted key ongoing and future projects in the hydrocarbon and mining sectors, including the advanced progress of the zinc and lead project in Amizour, the Gara Djebilet iron ore project, and the Integrated Phosphate Project (PPI), which is expected to position Algeria as a major regional producer and exporter of phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers. He also presented the seawater desalination program, which includes 19 plants with a capacity of 3.8 million cubic meters per day, and the launch of a new program to build six additional plants with a total capacity of 1.8 million cubic meters per day, aiming to cover 60% of national demand by 2030.
Discussions also covered ways to strengthen technical cooperation, particularly with international partners, and to improve the transition towards cleaner energy sources. Minister Arkab affirmed Algeria’s potential to become a reliable supplier of low-carbon energy, particularly through hydrogen projects.
