Bank of Algeria Orders Banks to Facilitate International Payment Cards for Travelers

Governor of the Bank of Algeria Mohammed Lamine Lebbou held a meeting on Monday with senior banking officials at the headquarters of the country’s central bank, according to an official statement.

During the meeting, Lebbou instructed banks to take the necessary measures to simplify and accelerate the issuance of international payment cards for citizens wishing to benefit from the foreign currency travel allowance.

The directive is intended to make the process more accessible for Algerian residents travelling abroad and ensure that eligible citizens can obtain the required banking services under suitable conditions.

International payment cards allow travelers to use their allocated foreign currency for payments and other authorized transactions outside Algeria. Facilitating access to these cards is therefore expected to reduce administrative difficulties and improve the overall experience of citizens preparing to travel abroad.

The meeting comes after the Bank of Algeria issued an instruction setting out the procedures for granting the foreign currency travel allowance through international bank cards. The measure applies to resident Algerian citizens who meet the established conditions for travelling abroad.

Banks are now expected to adapt their procedures, provide applicants with clear information and process requests more efficiently. They will also be required to ensure that the cards are issued in accordance with banking regulations and the conditions established by the central bank.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to modernize Algeria’s banking system, encourage the wider use of electronic payment methods and improve the quality of financial services offered to citizens.

By facilitating international payment cards, the authorities aim to provide travelers with safer and more practical access to their foreign currency allowance. The measure may also reduce reliance on cash and support the gradual development of modern banking practices.

The Bank of Algeria’s instructions underline the importance of cooperation between the central bank and commercial banks to ensure the effective implementation of the new travel exchange arrangements.