Finance Bill Introduces Fee for Saharan Sand Use

A proposal to institute a fee on the use and exploitation of Saharan sand has been included in Algeria's draft 2027 Finance Bill. This initiative represents a governmental effort to diversify state revenues and enhance the national budget. The measure seeks to address a situation where the extensive exploitation of this abundant resource has not historically provided financial returns to the public treasury, with the government anticipating significant financial gains from its implementation.

Under Article 182 of the proposed legislation, a charge of 500 dinars per cubic meter will be applied to all forms of Saharan sand, including dune sands and those collected following storms. This new revenue stream is projected to generate 700 million dinars annually for the state. The fee will impact 17 southern wilayas, which collectively contain 250 identified sand extraction points, and payments will be made to the local domains inspection office.

Saharan desert sand is widely utilized across various economic sectors, including building, public works, industrial applications, road construction, basic infrastructure, and dam projects. The government's rationale for this new fee highlights its intention to increase state budget resources, thus ending a scenario that has deprived the public treasury of substantial financial benefits from this resource. Additional details regarding the application of this measure may be established through inter-ministerial decrees issued by the ministers of Interior and Finance.