Tebboune, Merz Pledge New Era in Algeria-Germany Partnership as Leaders Deepen Strategic Cooperation Across Energy, Industry and Investment
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz committed to expanding Algerian-German cooperation beyond traditional energy ties during talks in Berlin, highlighting investment, green hydrogen, advanced industry and technology while reaffirming Algeria’s role as a reliable energy supplier to Europe.
By Dr. Hana Saada
BERLIN — Algeria and Germany pledged to deepen their strategic partnership on Thursday as President Abdelmadjid Tebboune held talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with both sides signalling a broadening of bilateral cooperation spanning energy security, industrial development, investment, advanced technology and the green transition.
The meetings formed the centrepiece of Tebboune’s two-day official visit to Germany, reflecting what both governments described as a renewed determination to elevate one of Algeria’s longest-standing European partnerships at a time of shifting geopolitical and economic priorities.
President Tebboune was received with official honours at Villa Borsig in Berlin before holding private talks with President Steinmeier, followed by expanded discussions involving senior delegations from both countries.
Speaking during a joint press conference with Chancellor Merz, Tebboune described Algerian-German relations as among Algeria’s strongest international partnerships.
Relations between the two countries, established shortly after Algeria’s independence in 1962, “have always been solid and excellent, have never been affected by any dispute, and continue to improve,” Tebboune said, adding that Germany today represents one of Algeria’s closest and most reliable cooperation partners.
The Algerian president said bilateral cooperation had evolved beyond traditional economic exchanges into broader strategic sectors accompanying Algeria’s ongoing economic transformation.
“Algeria continues its development and seeks to open new areas of cooperation,” Tebboune said, pointing in particular to highly specialised pharmaceutical production, where he said Algeria intends to benefit from Germany’s internationally recognised expertise.
He referred to the recent launch of Algeria’s Institute of Cellular and Gene Therapy, describing it as part of the country’s broader strategy to develop advanced biomedical industries and strengthen technological capabilities.
Energy remained a central theme throughout the discussions.
Tebboune reaffirmed Algeria’s position as a dependable supplier of natural gas to Europe, noting Germany’s growing interest in Algerian energy exports.
“For perhaps the first time, our German friends are discussing the supply of gas to Germany,” he said. “As a supplier to Europe, Algeria is regarded as a reliable partner that always honours its commitments.”
He added that the visit had reinforced cooperation not only in energy but also in security and political dialogue while opening new opportunities in renewable energy.
Among the flagship projects discussed was the SouthH2 Corridor, the proposed hydrogen infrastructure linking Algeria to European markets through Tunisia, Italy and Austria before reaching Germany.
Tebboune welcomed the project’s progress, suggesting future cooperation could expand beyond hydrogen to include renewable electricity and other clean-energy initiatives.
The president also highlighted growing German corporate interest in Algeria, saying investment reforms—including the establishment of a one-stop investment agency—had contributed to rising business confidence.
According to Tebboune, German companies have already submitted investment projects worth nearly $900 million through Algeria’s new investment facilitation mechanism.
He added that bilateral security cooperation had also featured prominently during discussions with German officials, describing collaboration between the two countries in that field as progressing positively.
Addressing members of the Algerian community residing in Germany on Wednesday evening, Tebboune said the expanding partnership with Berlin would strengthen Algeria’s position in several strategic industries.
He cited cooperation in green hydrogen, natural gas, helium, automotive manufacturing and mechanical engineering, describing Germany as “a great friend of Algeria” with whom decades of cooperation had consistently produced positive results.
“We have always appreciated the work carried out by the Germans, who have demonstrated seriousness and sincerity in our cooperation,” Tebboune told members of the diaspora.
The president also announced the forthcoming launch of a direct Algiers-Berlin air route, saying the connection would be supported by the expansion of Air Algérie’s fleet through newly acquired aircraft intended to strengthen international connectivity.
For his part, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany was determined to open “a new chapter” in its economic relationship with Algeria.
“Germany is highly interested in developing its economic relations with Algeria and intends to open a new page in these relations,” Merz said.
He confirmed that several agreements between German and Algerian companies would be signed during the visit, reflecting growing commercial interest in the Algerian market.
Merz said discussions had also addressed Algeria’s investment climate, legal guarantees, administrative transparency and regulatory efficiency, areas regarded as essential for attracting greater foreign investment.
The German chancellor praised the longstanding ties between the two countries while underlining their shared interest in regional stability and economic cooperation.
He also highlighted Algeria’s strategic importance within Europe’s evolving energy architecture.
Merz noted that Algeria possesses substantial reserves of natural gas, oil and critical minerals, adding that the country had made “major contributions” to strengthening Europe’s energy security in recent years.
He pointed out that Algeria ranked as the European Union’s second-largest supplier of natural gas in 2025, reinforcing its importance as Europe continues diversifying supply sources.
Germany also remains strongly committed to advancing cooperation on renewable energy, Merz said, particularly through the SouthH2 Corridor project.
Berlin, together with Algeria and Italy, will work to advance implementation of the strategic hydrogen corridor over the coming months, he added.
The visit reflects an increasingly multidimensional Algerian-German relationship, one that extends beyond hydrocarbons toward industrial investment, advanced manufacturing, technology transfer, pharmaceutical production, green hydrogen and long-term economic cooperation.
Against the backdrop of Europe’s search for resilient supply chains and Algeria’s drive to diversify its economy, officials from both countries portrayed the partnership as entering a new strategic phase built on shared economic interests, energy transition and industrial modernisation.
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