Horizons Interview: AAPI Chief Says Project Delivery Rates Reflect “Real Investment Momentum”

Algeria has registered more than 20,000 investment projects since late 2022, including nearly 350 foreign investments valued at over 1,418 billion dinars ($10.6 billion), Omar Rekkache, Director General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI), told Horizons in an interview published on Saturday.

Rekkache said foreign projects account for only 1.6% of total registered investments but represent more than 15% of the overall declared investment value, reflecting the strategic scale of many international ventures entering the Algerian market.

He noted that foreign investments have generated an estimated 46,726 jobs and include 17 major structuring projects and 34 large-scale investments, mainly concentrated in manufacturing industries, which account for over 70% of foreign investment commitments.

According to the AAPI chief, investment flows originate from a diversified group of partner countries including China, Turkey, Qatar, Italy, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain and Australia, alongside several African and Arab states.

Rekkache described current implementation rates as “very encouraging,” saying they reflected “real investment momentum” supported by Algeria’s recent economic reforms and administrative restructuring.

As of May 15, 2026, around 12,569 projects had submitted progress reports to the agency out of 21,981 registered investments, he said. Among them, 1,532 projects had entered operation, while 6,668 remained under implementation, including 356 technically completed but not yet operational projects.

He added that 4,369 projects had not yet begun implementation, while the agency had launched follow-up campaigns and formal notices aimed at improving reporting compliance among investors.

Rekkache also highlighted the forthcoming launch of a digital single-window platform designed to centralise investment procedures, including project registration, land management, electronic payment systems, digital signatures and administrative coordination through a unified interface.

The project is being developed in partnership with Algeria’s High Commission for Digitalisation and forms part of broader efforts to modernise investment governance and reduce administrative delays.

Rekkache said the easing of the former 51/49 ownership rule for non-strategic sectors had contributed to improving Algeria’s attractiveness among foreign investors by offering greater flexibility and legal visibility.

He added that the combined impact of regulatory reforms, digitalisation measures and administrative simplification should strengthen Algeria’s position in international foreign direct investment rankings in the coming years.