Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines Receives IMF Delegation
The Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, received a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the ministry headquarters on Thursday. The delegation was led by Charalambos Tsangarides, Head of the IMF Mission to Algeria, as part of the Fund’s regular annual consultations with Algeria under Article IV. The meeting was attended by senior ministry officials and a representative of the Bank of Algeria.
During the meeting, Minister Arkab delivered a comprehensive presentation on the development program for Algeria’s hydrocarbons and mining sectors, as well as the deep transformations underway in the regulatory framework governing energy and mining activities. He highlighted the sector’s pivotal role in diversifying the national economy, boosting growth, meeting domestic demand for petroleum and gas products, ensuring long-term energy security, and contributing to the stability of international energy markets.
The minister stressed that sector development follows a strategic vision covering short-, medium-, and long-term goals, aimed at enhancing the value added from national resources, improving production efficiency, and developing downstream industries. He also emphasized the ministry’s efforts to support a transition toward a clean energy economy by reducing flaring and methane emissions, advancing carbon capture projects, and promoting a circular economy.
Minister Arkab outlined key ongoing and future projects in hydrocarbons and mining, including major structured projects such as the Amizour zinc and lead project, the Gara Djebilet iron project, and the integrated phosphate project (PPI), which will make Algeria one of the largest regional producers and exporters of phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers. He also reviewed the seawater desalination program, which currently includes 19 plants with a total capacity of 3.8 million m³/day, and announced a new program to build six additional plants with a combined capacity of 1.8 million m³/day, aiming to meet 60% of national water demand by 2030.
The discussion also covered ways to enhance technical cooperation, particularly with international partners, and strengthen the shift toward clean energy, highlighting Algeria’s potential to become a reliable supplier of low-carbon energy, especially through green hydrogen projects.
In response, the IMF mission head praised the detailed presentation, expressing the Fund’s interest in monitoring Algeria’s ongoing reform efforts and its readiness to support programs aimed at enhancing economic stability and advancing structural reforms.
