In a rich and well-structured interview, Mr. Amara Charaf-Eddine, Chairman and CEO of MADAR Holding and President of the National Union of Public Entrepreneurs (UNEP), reflects on the speech delivered by the President of the Republic and the major outlines of the national economic strategy.
For him, the speech marks a pivotal moment, combining both assessment and projection, and reflecting deep reforms alongside a clear ambition: positioning Algeria as Africa’s leading economic power. He emphasizes the key role that employers’ organizations must play in supporting public policies, as well as the need to reform enterprises, public governance, finance, and infrastructure. “Algeria holds all the cards,” he states, stressing that the real challenge now lies in rigorous and coordinated implementation.
Interview conducted by Hacène Nait Amara
How do you interpret the President’s speech and the announcements made?
The President’s speech represents, in my view, a significant milestone of his term. It is both an assessment and a forward-looking vision. The assessment highlights structural reforms undertaken since 2020. Tangible results have been achieved, particularly in agriculture, where wheat production has improved significantly, paving the way for reduced imports and stronger food sovereignty.
On the industrial front, the revival of the national productive apparatus has strengthened local supply and boosted exports, which exceeded $7 billion in non-hydrocarbon exports in 2024.
Regarding investment, projects registered with the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, representing several billion dinars, demonstrate a dynamic momentum driven by SMEs, major groups, and foreign investors. However, the actual realization rate of these projects will be the true indicator of implementation effectiveness.
Looking ahead, the speech outlines a clear roadmap: simplifying investment procedures, strengthening support for start-ups, establishing business banks to better finance the productive economy, and targeting a GDP of $400 billion by 2027. The restructuring of certain institutions reflects a desire for greater efficiency.
Concerning relations with the European Union, the President reaffirmed Algeria’s respect for its international commitments, while stressing the principle of reciprocity in the renegotiation of the Association Agreement. He called for broader access for Algerian products to European markets and for increased European investment in Algeria. The same approach applies to the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Greater Arab Free Trade Area.
What role should employers’ organizations play in achieving Algeria’s new economic ambitions?
They play a central role through frank and continuous dialogue. At UNEP, we maintain regular contact with other organizations and share a common objective: contributing to the success of national economic policy.
Synergies are being developed to coordinate efforts and pool resources. Our responsibility also includes providing expertise, relevant analysis, and forward-looking insights, in collaboration with research institutions and universities.
How can Algeria meet the challenge of becoming Africa’s leading economic power?
The ambition is legitimate and the foundations are in place. Success requires continuing and accelerating reforms, particularly enterprise reform by removing distinctions between public and private companies, modernizing public governance, strengthening managerial autonomy while ensuring legal protection.
It also requires freeing initiative, simplifying investment procedures, reforming the banking sector, and diversifying financing sources through financial markets and banking channels to achieve real financial inclusion.
Modernizing transport infrastructure, accelerating digital transformation under the 2025–2030 strategy, and advancing the energy transition to reach 30% renewable energy in the national mix by 2035 are also essential.
Inclusive growth must remain central, valuing human capital both domestically and within the diaspora, while maintaining macroeconomic stability (inflation control, budget balance, foreign reserves).
Algeria holds all the cards. The key challenge now is execution and coherence.
Is the path therefore set for a more dynamic role of economic actors?
The President’s address sets out an ambitious yet realistic political direction for Algeria’s economy. It calls for collective mobilization to turn this vision into concrete results. Through coordinated, responsible action, Algeria can firmly position itself on a path of sustainable, inclusive, and sovereign development.
