Algeria is steadily advancing towards achieving water security, particularly in the face of drought and climate change, which have affected various regions worldwide in recent years. The country boasts significant natural resources, especially underground water reserves, making it the leading African nation and one of the top globally in terms of these reserves, primarily located in southern Algeria. Recently, a strategy and program for constructing various water infrastructures across the country have been adopted, underscored by directives from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Water Security: A Key Commitment of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Achieving water security was a major commitment of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during his 2019 election campaign. Since taking office, nearly every government meeting under his leadership has prioritized the water resources sector, issuing directives to implement an effective strategy aimed at permanently resolving water supply issues and ensuring national water security. This commitment was evident in the joint ministerial meeting held on August 1, 2021, where a work strategy for the horizons of 2024 and 2030 was emphasized, focusing on sustainable water resource mobilization.
The strategy aims to secure water supply for coastal areas and regions within 150 km of desalination plants, areas where 80% of the country’s population resides. The irrigation sector has benefited from significant programs, resulting in numerous achievements, including a national drinking water network over 162,500 km long, achieving a connection rate of 98%. Additionally, the sector will receive 353 new investment operations under the 2024 fiscal year’s special budget program.
Seawater Desalination Plants: An Alternative Resource and Proactive Measure for Future Crises
In recent years, Algeria has embarked on a new strategy by planning support for seawater desalination plants and initiating five new projects along its coastline. This proactive step bolsters future resilience and increases the availability of drinking water to counteract climate changes and decreasing rainfall. This initiative has positioned Algeria as the leading African country in terms of the number of seawater desalination plants, with plans to increase the number to 19 by the end of 2024. The initial program includes 11 plants along the coast with a production capacity of 2.11 million cubic meters per day.
Under an emergency plan, the Algerian government also constructed three additional plants with a daily capacity of 70,000 cubic meters, alongside five more plants under a supplementary program, providing an additional 1.5 million cubic meters daily across five provinces by the end of 2024.
The National Water Strategy 2021-2030 aims to meet Algerians’ drinking water needs by relying on seawater desalination for up to 60% of the supply. President Tebboune frequently emphasizes the need to expedite the construction of these plants, which are expected to supply drinking water to coastal residents and those within 150 km of these facilities.
After 62 years of regaining sovereignty from French colonization, the water resources sector in Algeria has witnessed substantial achievements. These efforts have increased the supply of drinking water to 3.6 billion cubic meters and ensured equitable and balanced distribution. Despite challenges such as declining rainfall, rapid population growth, and the vast expanse of the country, the foundations of a national strategy for achieving water security have been firmly established.
