Addis Ababa praises Algeria’s role in strengthening regional integration in Africa

ADDIS ABABA – Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies, Mohamed Arkab, met on Monday in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Kassahun Goffe, as part of his working visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Algerian ministry said in a statement.

According to a statement from the ministry, the meeting focused on opportunities to strengthen trade cooperation between Algeria and Ethiopia, particularly in the fields of energy, mining, and renewable energy. On this occasion, the minister provided an overview of the sector, especially in areas such as the exploration, exploitation, and transportation of hydrocarbons, petrochemicals, as well as petroleum products, training, and education, the source said, adding that the discussion also covered the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity, mineral resources and their processing, particularly in the field of fertilizers.

In this regard, Minister Arkab emphasized that Algeria is ready to supply the Ethiopian market with fertilizers, particularly 46% urea, which accounts for a significant portion of Ethiopia’s agricultural needs, estimated at around 2 million tons annually.

The minister also highlighted that Algeria has made significant strides in African economic integration, continuing efforts to diversify transport and trade networks through major projects such as the Tindouf-Zouérate road, expanding trade exchanges through free trade areas, and establishing Algerian commercial banks across Africa.

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of African cooperation in developing joint projects, enhancing investments in the oil and gas sectors, and achieving energy integration across the continent. This, he noted, would contribute to Africa’s goals of energy self-sufficiency and ensure secure energy supplies for all member states.

For his part, the Ethiopian Minister of Trade praised Algeria’s role in promoting regional integration within Africa, expressing his country’s interest in expanding economic cooperation with Algeria in areas such as energy, agriculture, and trade. He also emphasized the desire to collaborate and leverage Algeria’s expertise in the regulatory and legal frameworks governing the trade and marketing of crude oil, energy, and petroleum products.

According to the statement, both sides agreed to continue consultations to establish practical mechanisms that will facilitate trade and investment exchanges, thereby enhancing economic integration between the two countries.