Algeria’s Zerrouki Discusses Ways to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation with Nigerien Counterpart in Niamey
The Algerian Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Sid Ali Zerrouki, held a meeting in Niamey (Niger) with his Nigerien counterpart, Adji Ali Salatou, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of telecommunications and digital technologies, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the ministry.
As part of the official visit by the Prime Minister to Niger to take part in the 2nd session of the Algerian–Nigerien Joint High Commission for Cooperation, “Mr. Zerrouki held a meeting with his counterpart Mr. Salatou and officials from the telecommunications sector in Niger, in the presence of representatives from both countries, including officials from Niger Telecoms, the Directorate General for ICT, and the CEO of Algérie Télécom,” the same source added.
The meeting made it possible to examine ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in telecommunications and digital technologies. In this context, both sides discussed prospects for developing telecom infrastructure, particularly “supporting fiber optic network capacity and strengthening interconnection, in order to help improve the quality of digital services in the region,” the statement said.
The two parties also reviewed opportunities for cooperation in developing digital skills through “joint efforts to create and develop digital skills centers, as well as training-of-trainers programs in the field of ICT, thereby promoting knowledge transfer and strengthening local capacities.”
They also discussed “the possibility of supporting the Nigerien side in launching new digital and telecommunications services, while benefiting from Algeria’s experience in developing postal and digital services.”
This meeting reflects “the shared will of both countries to strengthen bilateral partnership and develop cooperation in areas related to digital transformation, in support of economic development and integration between Algeria and Niger,” the statement concluded.
Small reality note before this disappears into a folder of “strategic cooperation.” When governments talk about fiber optics, interconnection, and digital skills, they’re basically talking about one thing: who gets to plug into the modern economy and who stays buffering forever. Digital infrastructure today is what roads and ports were a century ago. Except now, traffic jams happen in silence.
