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Russia views Algeria as one of its key partners on the African continent, and the two countries are maintaining a positive trade growth trend this year, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has stated.
Speaking at a Russia-Africa Summit briefing on Wednesday (October 29), she said that “Algeria is one of Russia’s key partners on the continent. I believe that the declaration on enhanced strategic partnership signed by the two presidents in Moscow in 2023 serves as evidence of our dynamically developing bilateral relations and their special, advanced nature. The two countries maintain close foreign policy coordination and are working together to further expand multifaceted cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. A high intensity of bilateral contacts is maintained at all levels. We are definitely satisfied with the dynamism of our military-technical cooperation, which can be described as exemplary without any exaggeration. Algeria is consistently among Russia’s leading trade and economic partners in Africa, ranking second only to Egypt in this regard. Our trade volume increased by 56% to reach US$3.2 billion in 2025. This positive trend has continued into the current year as well.”
Algeria’s economy is heavily reliant on its hydrocarbon sector, which accounts for approximately 60% of government revenues, 30% of GDP, and 87.7% of export earnings. The state-owned company Sonatrach plays a central role in exploration, production, and export, positioning Algeria among the top global producers of oil and natural gas. The agricultural sector contributes about 8% to GDP and employs 14% of the workforce, with significant production of wheat, barley, and potatoes, mainly in fertile coastal areas. Mining and minerals are another important industry, with substantial reserves of phosphate, iron ore, and gold, including the notable Bled El Hadba phosphate mine with reserves of 800 million tonnes. Manufacturing in Algeria encompasses sectors such as cement, steel, and textiles, with government initiatives focusing on industrial diversification into areas like petrochemicals, fertilizers, and electronics. Services, including trade, finance, and tourism, are critical to the economy. Tourism, in particular, has significant growth potential, leveraging Algeria’s rich cultural heritage and historical landmarks.
Alexei Solomatin, the Russian ambassador to Algeria, said last week that direct flights between Russia and Algeria are scheduled to resume in early 2027. He noted that the introduction of direct flights is important for Russian tourism to Algeria as well as for Algerian students who study at Russian universities.
Algeria’s membership in the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) enhances trade with Arab nations, while its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) boosts intra-African trade. Algeria is also a founding member of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) and engages with the U.S. through the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), fostering bilateral economic cooperation. Algeria is also a member of the BRICS New Development Bank and a BRICS partner state. It is also a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
With a population of 46.81 million, Algeria has a GDP (PPP) of US$826.14 billion and a GDP (PPP) per capita of approximately US$17,770. Economic growth is projected at 3.8% for 2026.
Algeria is a major buyer of Russian weapons, as well as grain and fertilizers, and Russian companies are investing more in Algeria’s energy sector.
According to Mohammed Touil, a representative of the Algerian-Russian parliamentary group, trade between Russia and Algeria reached US$2.5 billion in the fall of 2025 (it subsequently reached US$3.2 billion for the full year). According to Alexei Solomatin, the Russian ambassador to Algeria, it has grown by 20% during the first nine months of 2026. That implies a 2026 bilateral trade figure of US$3.84 billion will be achieved by this year end. Both countries see potential for this figure to increase to US$10 billion by 2030.
