Bouzegza: Algerian Hydric Expertise Mobilised in the Service of African Resilience and Water Security
By Dr. Hana Saada
On the occasion of Africa Day, the Minister of Hydraulics, Lounès Bouzegza, reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to placing its accumulated expertise and technical capabilities at the service of the continent, particularly in the strategic domain of water resource management.
Speaking during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, he situated water at the core of Algeria’s African engagement, in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritises “the sustainable availability of water and sanitation systems.”
Bouzegza stressed that Algeria makes its experience in water resource governance, potable water supply, sanitation, and agricultural irrigation available to collective African action, both through technical cooperation and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.
He underlined that the right of citizens to access water is constitutionally guaranteed under Article 63 of the Algerian Constitution. In this regard, Algeria has implemented major structural investments that have enabled a 98% drinking water connection rate, supported by a distribution network exceeding 195,000 kilometres, alongside a 93% sanitation coverage rate, with a sewerage network extending over 97,000 kilometres.
In response to accelerating climate constraints, Algeria has strategically opted for non-conventional water resources. The minister highlighted the operationalisation of 31 desalination plants—19 large-scale and 12 smaller units—producing over three million cubic metres of water per day, in addition to eight new plants under construction, each with a capacity of 300,000 cubic metres daily.
Bouzegza also emphasised Algeria’s policy of interregional hydric solidarity, illustrated by major water transfer schemes, including the transport of fossil groundwater across 750 kilometres, the diversion of Chott El Gharbi waters to benefit three western wilayas over 500 kilometres, and the supply of communes in Béni Ounif (Béchar) over a 240-kilometre network. He described these projects as a concrete expression of Algeria’s commitment to equitable and sustainable water distribution, in line with Agenda 2063 principles.
To preserve conventional water resources, Algeria has also expanded the reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture and industry. The minister noted that 234 treatment plants are currently operational, with a combined annual capacity of 1.1 billion cubic metres.
Welcoming the African Union’s decision to place water sustainability at the centre of its 2026 priorities, Bouzegza reiterated a continental wisdom: “Where water rules, the land must obey,” stressing that Africa’s challenges should be viewed as opportunities to unlock the continent’s full developmental potential and affirm its future-oriented trajectory.
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